Warning message camera and method

ABSTRACT

In a camera and method, an archival image is captured. During the capturing of the archival image, a plurality of evaluation images are also captured. A verification image is generated from the evaluation images. Characteristics of the evaluation images are compared to predetermined standard ranges and an output quality warning is generated when a characteristic is outside a respective range. The output quality warning is communicated while the verification image is displayed on the camera.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. 09/907,163, entitled: REVISION SUGGESTION CAMERAAND METHOD, filed Jul. 17, 2001, in the names of Stephen G. MalloyDesormeaux; Ser. No. 09/907,167, entitled: CAMERA HAVING OVERSIZE IMAGERAND METHOD, filed Jul. 17, 2001, in the name of Stephen G. MalloyDesormeaux; Ser. No. 09/907,044, entitled: REVISED RECAPTURE CAMERA ANDMETHOD, filed Jul. 17, 2001, in the name of Kenneth A. Parulski; Ser.No. 09/907,170, entitled: IMAGE REVISING CAMERA AND METHOD, filed Jul.17, 2001, in the names of Kenneth A. Parulski, James W. Cannon, andStephen G. Malloy Desormeaux.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to photography and photographic equipment and moreparticularly relates to a warning message camera and related message.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casual photographers often compose scenes in a manner that is appealingto them when seen through a camera viewfinder, but is later found to beunappealing when seen in a resulting photographic print or other finalimage. Instruction on how to take better photographs is readilyavailable in books, in classes, and the like; but such modes ofinstruction are burdensome to access during picture taking and are notmuch used by casual photographers. This is unfortunate, since the resultis that many people repeat the same mistakes over and over, and alsomiss out on the fun of learning how to take better photographs.

Cameras are known that provide an indicator or lock up the shutterrelease when a forthcoming shot would be too dark or too close.Verifying cameras provide a verification image to users immediatelyafter capture of a scene on photographic film or other archival media.The verification image is provided on a digital display and portrays theimage captured on the archival media. This allows the user to review theverification image and decide if the shot was unsuccessful and should berepeated. Major capture failures, such as a something blocking the lenssystem, are readily apparent. Other characteristics of the capturedimage, such as composition, are also shown; but, in view of the smallsize of the digital display may not be immediately apparent to the user.

Japanese published patent application No. 07-319034 discloses a hybridcamera in which the photographer can change exposure settings to modifya verification image. The photographer then knows whether to repeat theshot with the changed settings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,628 discloses a camera that can change metadataindicating a default number of prints, in response to a determinedcondition.

Hybrid cameras are known that use an electronic image capture unithaving a larger angle of view than a corresponding film image captureunit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,983 discloses a camera that uses the largerarea of the electronic capture unit to correct for parallax at somefocusing distances. A display on the camera shows a digital image thatcorresponds to the angle of view of the film image capture unit.

Software is widely available that allows for the easy manipulation ofdigital images. Digital cameras can be used to capture images which arethen modified using such software after downloading to a computer. Thisis a powerful approach, but lacks immediacy, since the images are notmanipulated on the camera.

Digital cameras necessarily make some modifications of captured images.Some cameras also allow the user to selectively modify some images. Forexample, the use of digital zoom is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,172,234. A problem with these approaches is complexity or lack ofimmediacy or both. A novice is likely to be confused if he or sheattempts to modify images during a picture taking session. Modifyingimages on a camera after a picture taking session is less confusing, butremains complex unless user choices are strictly limited.

One reason for modifying captured images is correction of mistakes bythe user and improvement of photographic technique. The widely availableeducational materials for this purpose are of little help to a userduring a picture taking session.

It would thus be desirable to provide an improved camera and method inwhich the camera displays one or more different suggestions on how toimprove on a just captured archival image and the camera edits thearchival image or records photofinishing editing instructions when oneof the suggestions is selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in its broaderaspects, provides a camera and method in which an archival image iscaptured. During the capturing of the archival image, a plurality ofevaluation images are also captured. A verification image is generatedfrom the evaluation images. Characteristics of the evaluation images arecompared to predetermined standard ranges and an output quality warningis generated when a characteristic is outside a respective range. Theoutput quality warning is communicated while the verification image isdisplayed on the camera.

It is an advantageous effect of the invention that an improved cameraand method are provided in which the camera displays one or moredifferent suggestions on how to improve on a just captured archivalimage and the camera edits the archival image or records photofinishingediting instructions when one of the suggestions is selected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an embodiment of the camera. The relativelocations of film in the exposure frame, the archival image captureunit, and the electronic imager of the electronic image capture unit areindicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the grid of regions formed by the sensors of therangefinder of the camera of FIG. 1 mapped on the same scene as shown bythe viewfinder in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical perspective view illustrating for aparticular capture event using the camera of FIG. 1: the scene, thearchival angle of view, and the assessment angle of view.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the camera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of a modification of the camera ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another modification of the cameraof FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of still another modification of thecamera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the camera of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical view of an original electronic image capturedby the camera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical view of a verification image derived fromthe original electronic image of FIG. 9 (with the camera held in ahorizontal position). The cross-hatching indicates the size and relativeposition of the original electronic image.

FIG. 11 is a revision suggestion image for a suggested rotation of 90degrees, derived from the original electronic image of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatical view of an original electronic image of amodified camera, which permits revision suggestions includingrecentering and zooming out.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatical view of a verification image derived fromthe original electronic image of FIG. 12. The cross-hatching indicatesthe relative size and relative position of the original electronicimage.

FIG. 14a is a diagrammatical view of a verification image showing aperson's head centered horizontally and vertically.

FIG. 14b is a diagrammatical view of a revision suggestion imageprovided by a camera having the features illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12,following capture of an original electronic image including theverification image of FIG. 14a. In FIG. 14b, the person's head is at thetwo-thirds point of the vertical dimension of the image.

FIG. 14c is a diagrammatical view that shows the original dimensions ofthe verification image of FIG. 14a in solid lines and the changeproposed by the revision suggestion of reaiming of FIG. 14b in dashedlines.

FIGS. 15a-15 c are the same views as FIGS. 14a-14 c, but with the cameraheld vertically rather than horizontally.

FIG. 16a is the same view as FIG. 14a.

FIG. 16b is a diagrammatical view of another revision suggestion imageprovided by a camera having the features illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12.

FIG. 16c is a diagrammatical view that shows the original dimensions ofthe verification image of FIG. 16a in solid lines and the changeproposed by the revision suggestion of rotating 90 degrees of FIG. 16bin dashed lines.

FIGS. 17a-17 c are the same views as FIGS. 16a-16 c, but the person'shead in the derived scene image of FIG. 17a is at one-third of the waydown from the top of the image.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatical view of the angle of view of an imagercapable of capturing an original electronic image that can be used forthe revision suggestions of FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20. The dashed lineindicates the relative position of the verification image.

FIGS. 19a-19 c are the same views as FIGS. 16a-16 c, but the person ismore distant from the camera and the revision suggestion is for zoomingin or moving closer.

FIGS. 20a-20 c are the same views as FIGS. 16a-16 c, but the person ismore distant a from the camera and the person's head is at about thecenter of the derived scene image. The revision suggestion is for bothzooming in and reaiming to move the person's head to the one-thirdpoint.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatical view of a verification image provided by acamera having the features illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12 and threedepiction of revision suggestions for other ways of photographing thesubject, including reaiming the camera to relocate the subject attwo-thirds of the distance from the bottom edge of the picture,reorienting the camera in a horizontal position, and zooming in/movingcloser to the subject. Cross-hatching indicates the relative size andposition of the original electronic image relative to the other images.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatical view of an original electronic imageproduced by the same embodiment of the camera as in FIG. 12.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatical view of a depiction of a revision suggestionresponsive to the electronic image of FIG. 22. The revision suggestionis to reaim the camera so as to center the subject.

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatical view of exposure setting during thepreparation of a revision suggestion image that includes reaiming.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of an electronic camera that is amodification of the camera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a verification image and fourdifferent depictions of the same revision suggestion.

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic view of a detected grid of rangefinder regionsand a suggestion set of three revision suggestions matched to that gridin the revision suggestion look-up table. The revision suggestions are,in vertical order: moving down, changing to panoramic aspect ratio, andrecentering down and to the right.

FIG. 28 is the same view as FIG. 27, but with a different detected gridand set of revision suggestions. In this case, the revision suggestionsare, in vertical order: rotate 90 degrees and recenter, and change toC-aspect ratio.

FIG. 29 is the same view as FIG. 27, but with a different detected gridand set of revision suggestions. In this case, the revision suggestionsare, in vertical order: zoom in/move closer, rotate 90 degrees, andchange to C-aspect ratio and move down.

FIG. 30 is the same view as FIG. 27, but with a different detected gridand suggestion set. In this case, the set has a single revisionsuggestion: change to panoramic aspect ratio.

FIGS. 31a-31 c are a flow chart of camera operation using an embodimentthe revision suggestion photography method.

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of a modification of the camera 10,which provides output quality warnings.

FIG. 33 is a diagrammatical view of an image display showing averification image and the adjoining information display. In FIG. 33,the scene was properly captured, with no motion or exposure problems.

FIG. 34 is the same view as FIG. 33 for a different capture event, inwhich the user moved the camera as the picture was taken.

FIG. 35 is the same view as FIG. 33 for a different capture event, inwhich the sun is in the background of the image.

FIG. 36 corresponds to the view and capture event of FIG. 35, but usinga modification of the camera.

FIG. 37 corresponds to the view and capture event of FIGS. 35 and 36,but using another modification of the camera.

FIG. 38 a diagram illustrating a verification image and four differentdepictions of the same output quality warning.

FIG. 39 is a diagrammatical view of a single capture event of the outputquality warning photography method. Shutter opening is graphed versustime for the film and electronic shutters. (The graphs are aligned andat the same scale.) The archival image and four original electronicimages captured during the graphed time periods are indicated below thegraphs.

FIG. 40 is a graph of comparison of the difference in the first andfourth original electronic images of FIG. 39 to the respective warningthreshold.

FIGS. 41 and 42 are graphs of the comparison of the second and thirdoriginal electronic images of FIG. 39, respectively, to the respectiveexcessive highlight warning threshold and excessive shadows warningthreshold.

FIG. 43 is a diagrammatic view of the output quality warning photographymethod.

FIG. 44 is a more detailed diagrammatical view of the determining andcomparing steps of an embodiment of the method of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of camera operation utilizing the method of FIG.43.

FIG. 46 is a diagrammatical view of the operation of a modification ofthe camera of FIG. 1, which provides for revised recapture.

FIG. 47 is a modification of the flow chart of FIGS. 31a-31 c in whichthe camera provides for revised recapture. FIGS. 31a-31 b remainapplicable and FIG. 47 replaces FIG. 31c.

FIG. 48 is a diagrammatical view of the archival image revisingphotography method.

FIG. 49 is a diagrammatical view of another revised recapturephotography method in which the camera provides user instructions.

FIG. 50 is a diagrammatical view of an electronic camera that providesarchival image revising.

FIG. 51 is a diagrammatical view of another archival image revisingphotography method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, feature sets of the several different cameras andmethods are discussed in terms of particular embodiments combining allor many of those features. Alternative embodiments combining fewerfeatures and alternative features are also discussed herein. Otheralternatives will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

CAMERA FEATURES

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-10, the verifying camera 10 has abody 12 that holds a capture system 14 having an archival image captureunit 16 and a evaluation capture unit 18. The two different captureunits 16,18 can take a variety of forms and can be completely separatefrom each other or can share some or most components. The evaluationcapture unit 18 captures a scene image electronically and can also bereferred to as an electronic image capture unit. The archival imagecapture unit 16 can capture images electronically or on film. Cameras 10are mostly discussed herein in relation to an archival image captureunit 16 that captures latent images using photographic film as thearchival media 20. Such an archival image capture unit 16 is alsoreferred to herein as a “film image capture unit”.

In an embodiment of the camera 10 having a film image capture unit 20,when the photographer trips a shutter release 22, a subject image (alight image of a scene) is captured as a latent image on a frame of thefilm 20 and at least one electronic image is captured on an electronicarray imager 24 of the evaluation capture unit 18. The electronic imageor images are digitally processed and used to provide one or morederived images that can be shown on an image display 26 mounted to thebody 12. The electronic images, as captured in analog form and afterdigitization, but not other modification, are referred to genericallyherein as “original electronic images”. After further modification, theelectronic images are referred to generically herein by the term“derived images”. Derived images are modified relative to the originalimages. This can be for calibration to the display or a particular filestructure, or matching to output media. These modifications may or maynot also include the addition of metadata. A derived image that ismatched to the expected product of photofinishing the archival image isalso referred to herein as a “verification image”. More than one derivedimage can be made from a single original electronic image. A derivedimage that differs from the verification image in a predeterminedmanner, unrelated to expected photofinishing, is referred to herein asan “evaluation image”. Modifications matched to expected photofinishingmay or may not also be present in an evaluation image.

The camera body 12 provides structural support and protection for thecapture units 16,18 and other components. The body 12 of the camera 10can be varied to meet requirements of a particular use and styleconsiderations. It is convenient, if the body 12 has front and rearcovers 28,30 joined together over a chassis 32. Many of the componentsof the camera 10 can be mounted to the chassis 32. A film door 34 and aflip-up flash unit 36 are pivotably joined to the covers 28,30 andchassis 32.

The film image capture unit 16 has a film holder 38 that holds a filmunit 40 during use. In the camera of FIGS. 7-8, the film holder 38 ispart of the chassis 32. (The term “film unit 40” is used to refer tophotographic film 20 and any accompanying canister or other supportstructure or light block, or the like.)

The configuration of the film holder 38 is a function of the type offilm unit 40 used. The type of film unit 40 used is not critical. Thecamera 10 shown in the figures is film reloadable and uses an AdvancedPhoto System (“APS”) film cartridge. Other types of one or two chamberfilm cartridge could also be used and roll film can also be used. It iscurrently preferred that the camera 10 is reloadable. The camera 10 canhave a IX-DX code reader (not shown) to determine the film type and adata recorder 398 to write data on the film indicating how many printsof each film frame to produce, print format, and the like. This is notlimiting. Information including metadata can be read and written by anymeans well known to those of skill in the art.

The film holder 38 includes a pair of film chambers 42,44 and anexposure frame 45 between the film chambers 42,44. The film unit 40 hasa canister 46 disposed in one of the chambers. A filmstrip 20 is woundaround a spool 48 held by the canister 46. During use, the filmstrip 20extends across the exposure frame 45 and is wound into a film roll inthe other chamber. The exposure frame 45 has an opening 50 through whicha light image exposes a frame of the film 20 at each picture takingevent.

During use, the filmstrip 20 is moved by a film transport 52 out of thecanister 46 of the film cartridge 40, is wound into a film roll in thesupply chamber 44, and is then returned to the canister 46. The filmtransport 52, as illustrated, includes an electric motor located withina supply spool 49, but other types of motorized transport mechanisms andmanual transports can also be used. Filmstrip exposure can be on filmadvance or on rewind.

The electronic image capture unit has an electronic array imager 24. Theelectronic array imager 24 is configured so as to capture, for eachpicture-taking event, one or more electronic images that correspond to alatent image concurrently captured on the filmstrip 20. The type ofimager 24 used may vary, but it is highly preferred that the imager 24be one of the several solid-state imagers available. One highly populartype of solid-state imager commonly used is the charge coupled device(“CCD”). Of the several CCD types available, two allow easy electronicshuttering and thereby are preferable in this use. The first of these,the frame transfer CCD, allows charge generation due to photoactivityand then shifts all of the image charge into a light shielded,non-photosensitive area. This area is then clocked out to provide asampled electronic image. The second type, the interline transfer CCD,also performs shuttering by shifting the charge, but shifts charge to anarea above or below each image line so that there are as many storageareas as there are imaging lines. The storage lines are then shifted outin an appropriate manner. Each of these CCD imagers has both advantagesand disadvantages, but all will work in this application. A typical CCDhas separate components that act as clock drivers, analog signalprocessor-analog/digital converter 104 (also referred to as “A/Dconverter 104”). It is also possible to use an electronic image sensormanufactured with CMOS technology. This type of imager is attractive foruse, since it is manufactured easily in a readily available solid-stateprocess and lends itself to use with a single power supply. In addition,the process allows peripheral circuitry to be integrated onto the samesemiconductor die. For example, a CMOS sensor can include clock drivers,the A/D converter 104, and other components integrated on a single IC. Athird type of sensor which can be used is a charge injection device(CID). This sensor differs from the others mentioned in that the chargeis not shifted out of the device to be read. Reading is accomplished byshifting charge within the pixel. This allows a nondestructive read ofany pixel in the array. If the device is externally shuttered, the arraycan be read repeatedly without destroying the image. Shuttering can beaccomplished by external shutter or, without an external shutter, byinjecting the charge into the substrate for recombination.

The electronic image capture unit captures a three-color image. It ishighly preferred that a single imager be used along with a three-coloror four color filter, however, multiple monochromatic imagers andfilters can be used. Suitable three-color filters are well known tothose of skill in the art, and are normally incorporated with the imagerto provide an integral component. For convenience, the camera 10 isgenerally discussed herein in relation to embodiments having a singleimager 24 with a three color filter (not separately illustrated). Itwill be understood that like considerations apply to cameras 10 usingmore than three colors as well as cameras using multiple monochromaticimagers.

Referring to FIG. 25, in some embodiments the archival image captureunit 16 also captures the archival image electronically and stores thearchival image in digital form. In this latter case, the “capture media”is digital storage media, such as electronic or magnetic memory and thearchival images are transferred in digital form for photofinishing. Thememory 54 be fixed in the camera 10 or removable. The type of memory 54used and the manner of information storage, such as optical or magneticor electronic, is not critical. For example, removable memory can be afloppy disc, a CD, a DVD, a tape cassette, or flash memory card orstick. The transfer of images in digital form can be on physical mediaor as a transmitted electronic signal.

Two electronic capture units 16,18 can be present in the camera 10, withone used as the evaluation capture unit and the other used as thearchival capture unit. An example of a suitable digital camera havingtwo such electronic capture units is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,926,218, entitled “ELECTRONIC CAMERA WITH DUAL RESOLUTION SENSORS”, toSmith; which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively,a single electronic capture unit 1618 can be used as both the evaluationcapture unit 18 and the archival image capture unit 16. In this case,the archival image is derived from the original electronic image by anarchival image definition unit and the scene is defined by the effectivefield of view resulting from this operation. With a fully electroniccamera 10, the derived images can be subsampled from the originalelectronic image so as to provide lower resolution derived images. Thelower resolution derived images can be provided using the methoddescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,831, entitled“ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA 10 PROVIDING MULTI-FORMAT STORAGE OF FULL ANDREDUCED RESOLUTION IMAGES”, to Kuchta, et. al; which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The camera 10 can alternatively allow use of either a film image captureunit 16 or an electronic capture unit as the archival image capture unit16, at the selection of the photographer or on the basis of availablestorage space in one or another capture media or on some other basis.For example, a switch (not separately illustrated) can providealternative film capture and electronic capture modes. The camera 10otherwise operates in the same manner as the other describedembodiments. For convenience, the camera 10 is generally discussedherein in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 4. Like considerationsapply to other embodiments.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 4, the camera 10 has a optical system 56of one or more lenses mounted in the body 12. The optical system 56 isillustrated by a dashed line and several groups of lens elements. Itwill be understood that this is illustrative, not limiting. The opticalsystem 56 directs light to the exposure frame 45 (if present) and to theelectronic array imager 24. The optical system 56 also preferablydirects light through an optical viewfinder 58 to the user.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the imager 24 is spaced from the exposure frame45, thus, the optical system 56 directs light along a first path(indicated by a dotted line 60) to the exposure frame 45 and along asecond path (indicated by a dotted line 62) to the electronic arrayimager 24. Both paths 60,62 converge at a position in front of thecamera 10, at the plane of the subject image. In FIG. 4, the opticalsystem 56 has a combined lens unit 64 that includes both an imager lensunit 66 and a viewfinder lens unit 68. The combined lens unit 64 has apartially transmissive mirror 70 that subdivides the second light path62 between an imager subpath 62 a to the imager 24 and a viewfindersubpath 62 b that is redirected by a fully reflective mirror 72 andtransmitted through an eyepiece 74 to the photographer.

The optical system 56 can be varied. For example, the viewfinder lensunit 68, imager lens unit 66, and a taking lens unit 76 can be fullyseparate, as shown in FIG. 5, or a combined lens unit can include both ataking lens unit and an imager lens unit (not shown). Other alternativeoptical systems can also be provided.

In most cameras, there is a variation between the field of view of theviewfinder and the field of view of the archival image capture unit. Thescene delineated by the viewfinder is typically 80 to 95 percent of thefield of view of the archival image capture unit. The difference ensuresthat everything the photographer sees will be captured in the archivalimage, albeit with some additional image content at the edges. Cameras10 are generally described and illustrated herein in terms ofviewfinders 58 that have a 100 percent match to the field of view of thearchival image capture unit 16. This is a matter of convenience indescribing the invention. The viewfinders 58 of the cameras 10 can belimited to 80 to 95 percent of the field of view of the archival imagecapture unit 16 without changing the other features described.

Referring again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the taking lens unit76 is a motorized zoom lens in which a mobile element or elements aredriven, relative to a stationary element or elements, by a zoom driver78. The combined lens unit 64 also has a mobile element or elements,driven, relative to a stationary element or elements, by a zoom driver78. The different zoom drivers 78 are coupled so as to zoom together,either mechanically (not shown) or by a control system 80 signaling thezoom drivers 78 to move the zoom elements of the units over the same orcomparable ranges of focal lengths at the same time. The control system80, which includes a controller 81, can take the form of anappropriately configured microcomputer, such as an embeddedmicroprocessor having RAM or other memory for data manipulation andgeneral program execution.

The taking lens unit 76 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is alsoautofocusing. An autofocusing system 82 has a rangefinder 86 thatincludes a sensor 84. The rangefinder operates a focus driver 88,directly or through the control system 80, to move one or more focusableelements (not separately illustrated) of the taking lens unit 76. Therangefinder 86 can be passive or active or a combination of the two.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in preferred embodiments, the rangefinder 86 ofthe camera 10 divides the scene 133 into a grid 91 of regions 90(illustrated as boxes in FIG. 2) and senses distances, for each region90, to within the limits of one of several distance ranges. A widevariety of suitable multiple sensor rangefinders are known to those ofskill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,369 discloses such arangefinder. The rangefinder 86 then provides the distance range foreach region 90 to the control system 80, which then determines asubject-background pattern of the scene, as discussed below.

The taking lens unit 76 can be simple, such as having a single focallength and manual focusing or a fixed focus, but this is not preferred.One or both of the viewfinder lens unit 68 and imager lens unit 66 canhave a fixed focal length or one or both can zoom between differentfocal lengths. Digital zooming (enlargement of a digital imageequivalent to optical zooming) can also be used instead of or incombination with optical zooming for the imager 24. The imager 24 andimage display 26 can be used as a viewfinder prior to image capture inplace of or in combination with the optical viewfinder 58, as iscommonly done with digital still cameras 10. This approach is notcurrently preferred, since battery usage is greatly increased.

Although the camera 10 can be used in other manners, the archival imageis intended to provide the basis of the photofinished final imagedesired by the user. The derived images thus do not have to have thesame quality as the archival image. As a result, the imager 24 and theportion of the optical system 56 directing light to the imager 24 can bemade smaller, simpler, and lighter. For example, the taking lens unit 76can be focusable and the imager lens unit 66 can have a fixed focus orcan focus over a different range or between a smaller number of focuspositions.

A film shutter 92 shutters the light path to the exposure frame 45. Animager shutter 94 shutters the light path to the imager 24.Diaphragms/aperture plates 96 can also be provided in both of the paths.Each of the shutters 92,94 is switchable between an open state and aclosed state. The term “shutter” is used in a broad sense to refer tophysical and/or logical elements that provide the function of allowingthe passage of light along a light path to a filmstrip or imager forimage capture and disallowing that passage at other times. “Shutter” isthus inclusive of, but not limited to, mechanical and electromechanicalshutters of all types. “Shutter” is not inclusive of film transports andlike mechanisms that simply move film or an imager in and out of thelight path. “Shutter” is inclusive of computer software and hardwarefeatures of electronic array imagers that allow an imaging operation tobe started and stopped under control of the camera controller.

In currently preferred embodiments, the film shutter 92 is mechanical orelectromechanical and the imager shutter 94 is mechanical or electronic.The imager shutter 94 is illustrated by dashed lines to indicate boththe position of a mechanical imager shutter and the function of anelectronic shutter. When using a CCD, electronic shuttering of theimager 24 can be provided by shifting the accumulated charge under alight shielded register provided at a non-photosensitive region. Thismay be a full frame as in a frame transfer device CCD or a horizontalline in an interline transfer device CCD. Suitable devices andprocedures are well known to those of skill in the art. When using aCID, the charge on each pixel is injected into a substrate at thebeginning of the exposure. At the end of the exposure, the charge ineach pixel is read. The difficulty encountered here is that the firstpixel read has less exposure time than the last pixel read. The amountof difference is the time required to read the entire array. This may ormay not be significant depending upon the total exposure time and themaximum time needed to read the entire array.

CMOS imagers are commonly shuttered by a method called a rollingshutter. CMOS imagers using this method are not preferred, since thisshutters each individual line to a common shutter time, but the exposuretime for each line begins sequentially. This means that even with ashort exposure time, moving objects will be distorted. Given horizontalmotion, vertical features will image diagonally due to the temporaldifferences in the line-by-line exposure. Another method for shutteringCMOS imagers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,297. In this method,called single frame capture mode, all pixels are allowed to integratecharge during the exposure time. At the end of the exposure time, allpixels are simultaneously transferred to the floating diffusion of thedevice. At this point sequential read out by lines is possible.

Signal lines 98 electronically connect the imager 24 through the controlsystem 80 to the image display 26. The imager 24 receives a light imageand converts the light image to an analog electrical signal, that is, ananalog electronic image. (For convenience, electronic images aregenerally discussed herein in the singular. Like considerations apply toeach image of a plurality captured for a particular picture takingevent.)

The electronic imager 24 is driven by the imager driver 100. The imagedisplay 26 mounted on the outside of the camera body 12 is driven by animage display driver 102 and produces a light image (also referred tohere as a “display image”) that is viewed by the user.

The control system 80 controls other components of the camera 10 andperforms processing related to the derived image. The control system 80,as earlier discussed, includes the controller 81 and memory 54 and alsoincludes an A/D converter 104 and an image processor 106. Othercomponents can also be provided, as discussed below, in detail. Suitablecomponents for the control system 80 are known to those of skill in theart. Modifications of the control system 80 are practical, such as thosedescribed elsewhere herein. The controller 81 can be provided as asingle component, such as a microprocessor, or as multiple components ofequivalent function in distributed locations. The same considerationsapply to the processor 106 and other components. Likewise, componentsillustrated as separate units herein may be conveniently combined orshared in some embodiments.

“Memory 54” refers to one or more suitably sized logical units ofphysical memory provided in semiconductor memory or magnetic memory, orthe like. For example, the memory 54 can be an internal memory, such asa Flash EPROM memory, or alternately a removable memory, such as aCompactFlash card, or a combination of both. The controller 81 and imageprocessor 106 can be controlled by software stored in the same physicalmemory that is used for image storage, but it is preferred that theprocessor 106 and controller 81 are controlled by firmware stored indedicated memory, for example, in a ROM or EPROM firmware memory.Separate dedicated units of memory can also be provided to support otherfunctions.

The captured analog electronic image is amplified and converted by theanalog to digital (A/D) converter-amplifier 104 to a digital electronicimage, which is then processed in the image processor 106 and stored inthe memory 54. It is currently preferred that the signal lines 98 act asa data bus connecting the imager 24, controller 81, processor 106, theimage display 26, and other electronic components.

The controller 81 includes a timing generator (not separatelyillustrated) that supplies control signals for all electronic componentsin timing relationship. Calibration values for the individual camera 10are stored in a calibration memory (not separately illustrated), such asan EEPROM, and supplied to the controller 81. The controller 81 operatesthe memory or memories 54 and the drivers including the zoom drivers 78,focus driver 88, imager driver 100, image display driver 102, aperturedrivers 108, and film and imager shutter drivers 110,112. The controller81 connects to a flash circuit 115 that mediates flash functions.

It will be understood that the circuits shown and described can bemodified in a variety of ways well known to those of skill in the art.It will also be understood that the various features described here interms of physical circuits can be alternatively provided as firmware orsoftware functions or a combination of the two. Likewise, componentsillustrated as separate units herein may be conveniently combined orshared in some embodiments.

The digital electronic image stored in memory 54, is accessed by theprocessor 106 and is modified so as to provide a required derived image.As a part of showing a derived image on the image display, the camera 10may modify the derived image for calibration to the particular display.For example, a transform can be provided that modifies each image toaccommodate the different capabilities in terms of gray scale, colorgamut, and white point of the display and the imager and othercomponents of the electronic capture unit. It is preferred that thedisplay is selected so as to permit all of the verification image to beshown; however, more limited displays can be used. In the latter case,the displaying of the verification image includes calibration that cutsout part of the image, or contrast levels, or some other part of theinformation in the verification image.

The derived images can also be modified in the same manner that imagesare enhanced in fully digital cameras. For example, processing canprovide interpolation and edge enhancement. A limitation here is thatthe derived images are intended to correspond to photofinished archivalimages and, thus, enhancements should limited so as to not render thederived image dissimilar to the corresponding photofinished archivalimage. If the archival image is an electronic image, then comparableenhancements can be provided for both verification and archival images.Digital processing of an electronic archival image can also includemodifications related to file transfer, such as, JPEG compression, andfile formatting.

Enhancements can be provided to match the calibrated derived image tooutput characteristics of a selected photofinishing channel.Photofinishing related adjustments assume foreknowledge of thephotofinishing procedures that will be followed for a particular unit ofcapture media. This foreknowledge can be made available by limitingphotofinishing options for a particular capture media unit or bystandardizing all available photofinishing or by requiring the user toselect a photofinishing choice, for example by entering a character on acontrol pad or setting a switch. This designation can then direct theusage of particular photofinishing options and can provide for a director indirect indication of the effect in a derived image. The applicationof a designation on a capture media unit could be provided by a numberof means known to those in the art, such as application of a magnetic oroptical code.

Derived images can be prepared from the electronic image before beingneeded or as needed, as desired, subject to the limitations ofprocessing speed and available memory. To minimize the size of thememory, an electronic image can be processed and stored as a lowerresolution image, before a succeeding image is read out from the imager.

The controller 81 facilitates the transfers of the image, along thesignal lines, between the electronic components and provides othercontrol functions, as necessary. The controller 81 includes a timinggeneration circuit (not separately illustrated) that produces controlsignals for all electronic components in timing relationship. Thecontroller 81 is illustrated as a single component, but it will beunderstood that this is a matter of convenience in illustration. Thecontroller 81 can be provided as multiple components of equivalentfunction in distributed locations. The same considerations apply to theprocessor 106 and other components. Likewise, components illustrated asseparate units herein may be conveniently combined or shared in someembodiments.

Different types of image display 26 can be used. For example, the imagedisplay can be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a cathode ray tubedisplay, or an organic electroluminescent display (“OELD”; also referredto as an organic light emitting display, “OLED”).

The image display 26 is preferably mounted on the back or top of thebody 12, so as to be readily viewable by the photographer immediatelyfollowing a picture taking. One or more information displays 114 can beprovided on the body 12, to present camera information to thephotographer, such as exposures remaining, battery state, printingformat (such as C, H, or P), flash state, number of prints ordered, andthe like. For convenience, the information display is generallydiscussed here in the singular. The information display 114 provides avariety of camera 10 related information and can include a warningmessage if an archival image will provide an unsuitable quality print orother final image after photofinishing, as discussed below in detail.The information display 114 and image display 26 can be provided byseparate display devices or both be provided by contiguous parts of acommon display device. The information display 114 can be deleted ifinformation is instead provided on the image display 26 as asuperimposition on the image or alternately instead of the image (notillustrated). If separate, the information display 114 is operated by aninformation display driver 116. Alternatively, the camera 10 can includea speaker 237 which provides audio warnings instead of, or in additionto, visual warnings depicted on the information display 114, imagedisplay 26, or both.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the image display 26 is mounted tothe back of the body 12 and the information display 114 is mounted tothe body 12 adjacent to the image display 26 such that the two displaysform part of a single user interface 118 that can be viewed by thephotographer in a single glance. The image display 26, and aninformation display 114, can be mounted instead or additionally so as tobe viewable through the viewfinder 58 as a virtual display (not shown).

It is preferred that the image display 26 is operated on demand byactuation of a switch (not separately illustrated) and that the imagedisplay 26 is turned off by a timer or by initial depression of theshutter release 22. The timer can be provided as a function of thecontroller 81.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4, the user interface 118 ofthe camera 10 includes the shutter release 22, a “zoom in/out” button120 that controls the zooming of the lens units, and other user controls122 along with the image display 26 and the information display 114. Theshutter release 22 operates both shutters 92,94. To take a picture, theshutter release 22 is actuated by the user and trips from a set state toan intermediate state, and then to a released state. The shutter release22 is typically actuated by pushing, and, for convenience the shutterrelease 22 is generally described herein in relation to a shutter buttonthat is initially depressed through a “first stroke”, to actuate a firstswitch S1 and alter the shutter release 22 from the set state to theintermediate state and is further depressed through a “second stroke”,to actuate a second switch S2 and alter the shutter release 22 from theintermediate state to the released state. Like other two stroke shutterreleases well known in the art, the first stroke actuatesexposure-delimiting camera components, such as autofocus, autoexposure,and flash unit readying; and the second stroke actuates capture of thearchival image.

Referring now to FIG. 4, when the shutter release 22 is pressed to thefirst stroke, the taking lens unit 76 and combined lens unit 64 are eachautofocused to a detected subject distance based on subject distancedata sent by the rangefinder 86 to the controller 81. The controller 81also receives data indicating what focal length the lens units 76,64 areset at from one or both of the zoom drivers 78 or a zoom sensor (notshown). The camera 10 also detects the film speed of the film cartridge40 loaded into the camera 10 using a film unit detector 124 and relaysthis information to the controller 81. The camera 10 obtains scenebrightness (Bv) from components, discussed below, that function as alight meter. The scene brightness and other exposure parameters areprovided to an algorithm in the controller 81, which determines afocused distance, shutter speeds, apertures, and optionally a gainsetting for amplification of the analog signal provided by the imager24. Appropriate signals for these values are sent to the drivers88,100,108,110,112 via a motor driver interface (not shown) of thecontroller 81. The gain setting is sent to the ASP-A/D converter 104.

The camera 10 assesses ambient lighting using the imager 24 or aseparate detector 126 (indicated by dashed lines in the figures) orboth. The detector has an ambient detector driver 128 that operates asingle sensor 129 or multiple sensors (not shown). The term “sensor” isinclusive of an array of sensors. Sensors are referred to here as being“single” or “multiple” based on whether the ambient light detectionseparately measures light received from different parts of the ambientarea. A “single sensor” may have separate photodetectors for differentcolors. The ambient light detector or sensors can receive light from theoptical system 56 or can be illuminated external to the optical system56.

In some embodiments, the evaluation capture unit 18 is used to assessambient lighting. In those embodiments, one or more electronic imagesare captured prior to capture of the archival image. The capturedelectronic image data from one or more of these preliminary images issampled and scene parameters, such as automatic setting of shutterspeeds and diaphragm settings, are determined from that data. Thesepreliminary electronic images can be captured in a continuing sequenceas long as the capture system 14 is in a preliminary mode. For example,preliminary images can be captured, seratim, as long as the shutterrelease 22 is actuated through the first stroke and is maintained inthat position. This capture of preliminary images ends when the shutterrelease 22 is returned to a stand-by position or is actuated through thesecond stroke for archival image capture. The preliminary electronicimages could be saved to memory 54; but, except as otherwise describedhere, are ordinarily discarded, one after another, when the replacementelectronic image is captured to reduce memory usage. The preliminaryimages can also be provided to the image display 26 for use by thephotographer, prior to picture taking, in composing the picture. Thisuse of the image display 26 as an electronic viewfinder greatlyincreases energy usage and is not preferred for that reason.

The electronic capture unit is calibrated during assembly, to providemeasures of illumination, using known values. For example, thecontroller 81 can process the data presented in a preliminary imageusing the same kinds of light metering algorithms as are used formultiple spot light meters. The procedure is repeated for eachsucceeding preliminary image. Individual pixels or groups of pixels takethe place of the individual sensors used in the multiple spot lightmeters. For example, the controller 81 can determine a peak illuminationintensity for the image by comparing pixel to pixel until a maximum isfound. Similarly, the controller 81 can determine an overall intensitythat is an arithmetic average of all of the pixels of the image. Many ofthe metering algorithms provide an average or integrated value over onlya selected area of the imager array 24, such as an upper middle region.Another approach is to evaluate multiple areas and weigh the areasdifferently to provide an overall value. For example, in a centerweighted system, center pixels are weighted more than peripheral pixels.The camera 10 can provide manual switching between different approaches,such as center weighted and spot metering. The camera 10 canalternatively, automatically choose a metering approach based on anevaluation of scene content. For example, an image having a broadhorizontal bright area at the top can be interpreted as sky and given aparticular weight relative to the remainder of the image.

Under moderate lighting conditions the imager 24 can provide lightmetering and color balance determination from a single preliminaryimage. More extreme lighting conditions can be accommodated by use ofmore than one member of the series of preliminary electronic imageswhile varying exposure parameters until an acceptable electronic imagehas been captured. The manner in which the parameters are varied is notcritical.

The following approach is convenient. When an unknown scene is to bemeasured, the imager 24 is set to an intermediate gain and the imagearea of interest is sampled. If the pixels measure above some upperthreshold value (TH) such as 220, an assumption is made that the gain istoo high and a second measurement is made with a gain of one-half of theinitial measurement (1 stop less). (The values for TH and TL given hereare by way of example and are based on 8 bits per pixel or a maximumnumeric value of 255.) If the second measurement provides a code valuecorresponding to approximately one-half the previous measured sensorillumination level, it is assumed that the measurement is accurate andrepresentative. If the second measurement is still above TH, the processis repeated until a measurement is obtained that has a value that isone-half that of the preceding measurement. If the initial measurementresults in a value less than a low threshold (TL) such as 45, the gainis doubled and a second measurement made. If the resultant measurementis twice the first measurement, it is assumed that the measurement isaccurate and representative. If this is not the case, then the gain isdoubled again and the measurement is repeated in the same manner as forthe high threshold. Exposure parameters, such as aperture settings andshutter speeds can be varied in the same manner, separately or incombination with changes in gain. In limiting cases, such as fulldarkness, the electronic image capture unit is unable to capture anacceptable image. In these cases, the evaluator 140 (illustrated in FIG.4, as a dashed box within controller 81) can provide a warning messageto the user that the camera 10 cannot provide appropriate settings underthe existing conditions. The evaluator 140 is generally treated hereinas a part of the controller 81. The evaluator 140 can also be providedas a separate component or as part of another component of the controlsystem 80.

After the controller 81 receives the scene brightness value, thecontroller 81 compares scene brightness to a flash trip point. If thelight level is lower than the flash trip point, then the controller 81enables full illumination by the flash unit 36, unless the user manuallyturned the flash off. Appropriate algorithms and features for theseapproaches are well known to those of skill in the art.

A second switch S2 actuates when the shutter release 22 is furtherpushed to a second stroke. When the second switch S2 actuates, the filmshutter 92 is tripped and the capture of the latent image exposure onthe film frame begins. The film shutter 92 momentarily opens for aduration referred to herein as a “archival image exposure timeinterval”. The imager shutter 94 is also actuated and momentarily opensone or more times during the archival image exposure time interval.

REVISION SUGGESTIONS AND USE OF OVERSIZED IMAGER

In particular embodiments, the camera 10 provides revision suggestionsto the user, after successful image capture. (Unsuccessful image captureis discussed below, in relation to warning messages.)

Referring now to FIG. 3, the camera 10 is aimed by the user at a subjectof interest 130. With the camera 10 aimed, an archival angle of view(indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3) of the archival image capture unit16 defines a photographic scene 133 for archival capture and theevaluation capture unit 18 defines an assessment angle of view 135 thatmay or may not be the same as the angle of view of the archival captureunit 16. In FIG. 3, the assessment angle of view 135 includes thearchival angle of view 131 indicated by dashed lines and the additionalvolume indicated by dot-dashed lines in FIG. 3.

As an aid in aiming, it is highly preferred that the photographic scene133 defined by the archival image capture unit 16 is also delineated ina viewfinder 58 of the camera 10 (within ordinary viewfinder limits, asalready discussed). The delineation of the scene in the viewfinder 58can be accomplished by limiting the field of view of the viewfinder 58to match the scene or by defining the scene by imposing a reticle on alarger field of view.

The terms “photographic scene” and “scene” as used herein, refer toeverything in a particular light image that has been or would becaptured by the archival image capture unit 16 of the camera 10. Inother words, the photographic scene is defined by the field of view ofthe archival image capture unit 16. The term “field of view” is usedherein to refer to the entire area imaged by a particular opticalcomponent or system. The “scene” is the totality of what the user hascomposed for archival image capture in a particular picture takingevent. The “scene” generally can be classified as having a subject 130and a background 132. From the viewpoint of the photographer, thesubject 130 is the important part of the scene, such as a person orobject or interest, and the background 132 is ancillary.

The photographic scene is defined by archival image capture or,alternatively, by a user designation of a photographic scene independentof archival image capture. The latter provides for use of the camera 10as an instructional tool without archival image capture. The userdesignation, in that case, can be provided by actuation of the shutterrelease 22 through the second stroke, when archival media is not presentin the camera 10 or archival image capture is disabled by the user. Theuser designation can alternatively be provided by actuation of aseparate control (not illustrated) provided for that purpose. Forconvenience, the following discussion is limited to revision suggestionsprepared following archival image capture. It will be understood thatlike considerations apply when the camera 10 is used as an instructionaltool without archival image capture.

Again referring to FIG. 3, while the scene is delineated in theviewfinder 58, an archival image is captured along with one or moreoriginal electronic images. The original electronic images each have afield of view that is inclusive of the defined scene, and, in somecases, is larger than the field of view of the defined scene. Followingcapture, one or more images are derived from the original electronicimage and these derived images are displayed to the user on the imagedisplay 26 mounted to the body 12 of the camera 10, either on demand orautomatically following capture. More than one derived image can beshown on the image display 26 at the same time, but due to sizeconstraints, it is preferred that each of the derived images aredisplayed in alternation. It is also preferred that the derived imagesare only shown on demand, so as to not distract the user duringcontinued picture taking.

It is preferred that an original electronic image is capturedconcurrently with the capture of the archival image and that a derivedimage corresponding to the scene is made available for displayimmediately following image capture. This derived image is also referredto herein as the “derived scene image”. As earlier indicated, whenmatched to resemble a corresponding archival image after expectedphotofinishing, the derived scene image is also referred to herein as a“verification image”. Derived images including different parts of theoriginal electronic image than the derived scene image and derivedimages with modified exposure parameters relative to a correspondingarchival image are referred to herein as “assessment images”.

The cameras 10 are generally discussed herein in terms of embodiments inwhich derived images include a verification image and assessment images.It will be apparent that like considerations apply to other, differentembodiments.

Following successful capture of the original electronic image, exposureinformation for the derived scene image is analyzed for commonphotographer errors and oversights, and, responsive to that analyzing,one or more revision suggestions for changes in an ensuing capture of anarchival image of the same subject matter are displayed to the user. Theexposure information can include such information as rangefinder data onthe regions 90 corresponding to the derived scene image, the cameraorientation, the selected print format (aspect ratio), and brightnessand color information for different areas of the image. The cameraorientation is provided by a camera orientation sensor 134. The printformat is indicated by a user actuable switch (not separatelyillustrated). Brightness and color information can be derived from theelectronic image or one or more separate sensors or both.

It is highly preferred that the analysis of the exposure informationincludes one or more different determinations directed to identifyingthe photographic subject and background in the photographed scene andderived scene image. The reason for this preference is that revisionsuggestions relating to composition are expected to be more of a help toa novice photographer than other revision suggestions. This isparticularly the case where the camera 10 provides one or more automaticfunctions, such as automatic flash and focusing, which eliminate theneed for some possible revision suggestions. A novice photographer isalso less likely to recognize and know how to remedy compositionalshortcomings shown in a verification image, than other shortcomings,such as brightness problems. On the other hand, the compositionalshortcomings are likely to be just as apparent to the user in finishedprints or other relatively large images. The novice may also needencouragement to retake a picture with a compositional problem than toretake a picture that is too bright, or too dark, or blurred by cameramovement, or the like. In this case, the revision suggestion acts as ateaching tool and encourages the user to try different compositions thatmight not otherwise come to mind.

It is preferred that the determination of subject and background usesrangefinder 86 data for the different regions 90 of the derived sceneimage. The criteria used for separating the different regions 90 intosubject and background can vary, depending upon expected camera usage. Aconvenient criteria is that a region 90 is background if the measureddistance for the region 90 is greater than some multiple of the measureddistance of the nearest region 90 and a region 90 is subject if themeasured distance is less than or equal to that multiple of the measureddistance of the nearest region 90. A convenient multiple is two. Anotherconvenient criteria, that can be applied by itself or in combinationwith the last criteria; it that a region 90 is background if themeasured distance corresponds to the infinity position for the takinglens unit 76. For example, with some cameras 10, this distance is 12feet or greater. Another criteria that can be applied by itself or withone or more other criteria, is that outer regions 90 of the image arebackground. This criteria is most useful if applied as a counterpart toa determination of close inner regions 90 of the image. Another criteriais, if the flash unit 36 has fired, then brighter regions 90 or regions90 that are both brighter and closer represent the subject and otherregions 90 are background. This criteria is conveniently used as afallback when other distance based criteria are ambiguous. Still anothercriteria is that if the rangefinder 86 detects only subject matter atthe infinity position, then regions 90 that are brighter or bluer orboth are considered sky. For example, a reaiming suggestion can then bemade, if the horizon is centered.

An advantage of the criteria just mentioned is simplicity. Other, morecomplex criteria, such as pattern detection, can also be used. Forexample, the electronic image can be analyzed to determine eye positionswithin the image. This approach requires greater computing resources.

A shortcoming of the various criteria, particularly the simple criteria,is that erroneous compositional revision suggestions will be presented,at least occasionally. This is not a major drawback. The great majorityof people recognize good composition and bad composition when they seeit. It is expected that revision suggestions that show good compositionwill be easily detected and that erroneous revision suggestions withpoor composition will be easily ignored. It is also likely that havingbeen shown different ways of capturing the same subject, users will moreeasily pursue their own visions by combining one or more suggestions orgoing off in another direction entirely.

Since erroneous revision suggestions are not critical, a number ofdifferent revision suggestions can be made in response to a singlederived scene image, using different conflicting criteria, such asdeterminations of the subject and background. It is likely that the userwill consider the resulting group of revision suggestions beneficial,even if one or more suggest a worse composition than was originallycaptured.

A revision suggestion is implemented, during a succeeding archival imagecapture. Revision suggestions, if followed by the user, result in acapture of an archival image that differs from the assessment image. Inpreferred embodiments, the revision suggestion follows exposure of afirst archival image (film or digital); and the user follows therevision suggestion in capturing a second archival image. The firstarchival image captures the moment, that is, a scene that may quicklychange. The second archival image can provide an improvement based upona revision suggestion, but only if desired and if circumstances allow arepetition. Revision suggestions can be provided without an initialarchival image capture, but this approach is primarily intended to teachbetter technique rather than provide a camera for ordinary use.

Based upon the analysis of the exposure information, digital subroutinesfor one or more revision suggestions are selected from a look-up table136 of available revision suggestions. The look-up table 136 can be inthe form of a database of stored subroutines, or an algorithm from whichsubroutines are derived as needed, or can be some combination of one ormore databases and algorithms. The algorithms can include fuzzy logicalgorithms or subroutines.

Referring to FIG. 26, the revision suggestions are represented by adepiction 138 that is shown to the user. The depiction 138 can be in theform of a text message 138 a or an icon 138 b communicating thesuggested effect. It is highly preferred that the subroutines are forthe derivation of images embodying an application of the variousrevision suggestions to the original electronic image. (Revisionsuggestions, which are displayed as derived images are also referred tohere as “revision suggestion images 138 c”.) Revision suggestions canalso be presented as a combination of derived images and indicia. InFIG. 26, four different depictions of a revision suggestion of zoomingin or getting closer are shown. An icon depiction 138 b is in the formof a stylized letter “Z”. A text depiction 138 a is the text “zoom”. Arevision suggestion image 138 c shows a derived image that has beendigitally zoomed in to a predetermined extent. A combination revisionsuggestion 138 d superimposes a text or iconic suggestion on therevision suggestion image.

It is highly preferred that revision suggestions are presented to theuser as revision suggestion images 138 c, because this approach isquicker for the user to implement than is the case for indicia orcombinations of indicia and one or more derived images. With indicia oran indicia-image combination, the user must visualize the appearance ofthe succeeding archival image either mentally or by setting up for theproposed shot. This takes time, particularly for a novice presented withmultiple revision suggestions. With revision suggestion images 138 c, anadditional visualizing step is unnecessary, since the appearance of thesucceeding archival image is shown, within practical limits, on theimage display. The user can more quickly decide to follow, or notfollow, a revision suggestion. The user can also quickly decide whetherto follow a revision suggestion only in part, or to combine more thanone revision suggestion. This increases the benefit to the user, since asuggestion does not have to be perfectly appropriate to provide usefuladvice, and also frees the user to be more create and enjoy thephotographic process.

It will be apparent that an almost unlimited number and variety ofrevision suggestions can be made available for the user. One practicallimit on the number and type of revision suggestions is the intended useof the camera 10. For example, a wider variety and larger number ofrevision suggestions are more appropriate for a camera 10 designed foruse primarily as a teaching tool or for expert use, than for a camera 10intended for general purpose use. Another practical limit is theconflicting requirements of the user's tolerance of erroneoussuggestions and the greater processing load imposed by hardware andsoftware capable of reducing the number of erroneous suggestions. Stillanother practical limit is the photographer's ability to quicklyunderstand and act on the information presented. Some revisionsuggestions are also intrinsically of marginal usefulness in mostpicture taking situations, such as suggesting a double exposure or useof a fish-eye lens. It is thus preferred that, for a particular captureevent, the total number of revision suggestions be limited and thatrevision suggestions with a high risk of inappropriateness be avoided.

Specific values for the total number and type of suggestions can bepreset, or set by the user. In the latter case, revision suggestions canbe provided in a hierarchy or selectable levels in the same manner thatpull-down menus are varied in computer programs. For example, a usercould select a revision suggestion level between few, moderate, andmany; or alternatively, between, beginner, novice, and advanced. An“off” setting can also be provided, in either case, to turn off therevision suggestion function. The user controls 122 of the userinterface 118, can include a switch for this purpose. For a camera 10used by a casual photographer, it is currently preferred that the numberof revision suggestions be preset at no more than three per imagecapture event and that the revision suggestions be limited so as toreduce the risk of suggestions that are completely inappropriate to aparticular scene.

Duplication of suggestions and provision of more than one similarsuggestion can also be eliminated to improve the photographer's abilityto quickly understand and act on the information presented. For example,for a horizontally composed scene, it is undesirable to suggest both aright rotation to a vertical composition and a left rotation to the samecomposition. Likewise, zooming in/moving closer is better suggested by asingle or small number of revision suggestion images 138 c, rather thana long series of images at many different zoom positions.

Revision suggestions can be broadly categorized as composition changesand exposure parameter changes and combinations of both. Compositionchanges are rearrangements in some or all of the visual elements of ascene. Exposure parameter changes are modifications of camera functionsthat alter some or all of the visual elements of a scene withoutrearrangement. It is highly preferred that the exposure information beanalyzed for both composition changes and exposure parameter changes.For example, a determination can first be made to identify thephotographic subject and background in the photographed scene and thederived scene image. The relative characteristics of the subject andbackground can then be then evaluated and compared to predeterminedranges of values.

Table 1 lists some examples of revision suggestions and correspondingcategories, user actions, and digital modifications used to make theassessment images mimic the suggested changes.

TABLE 1 Digital modification of assessment Revision suggestion CategoryUser action image increase or decrease composition zoom in or out ordigital zoom relative size of change bring camera and subject in scenesubject closer together or further apart change position of compositionreaim camera recenter subject relative to change derived digitalbackground in scene image change scene composition rotate camera digitalrotation geometry (camera change orientation) change lighting onexposure alter flash settings- digital subject parameter flash/filllightening/ change flash/no flash or darkening alter ambient lightingchange depth of exposure alter exposure digital field/focus zoneparameter settings or sharpening/ change exposure mode blurring based onrangefinder data

Composition changes can be limited to the derived scene image or can addimage elements that go beyond the derived scene image in one or moredirections. An example of a change limited to the derived scene image iszooming. For zooming, a digital zoom algorithm is applied to the derivedscene image and the resulting revision suggestion image 138 c mimics theeffect of optical zooming or moving closer. Digital zoom algorithms arewell known to those of skill in the art. Another example of acomposition change that does not add image elements is rotation of asquare derived scene image.

An example of a composition change that adds image elements that gobeyond the derived scene image is reaiming the camera 10 so as recenterthe scene of the succeeding archival image relative to the derived sceneimage. Another example of a composition change that adds image elementsthat go beyond the derived scene image is rotation of a camera 10 havinga rectangular derived scene image. In order to provide these sorts ofrevision suggestion images 138 c, an original electronic image field ofview is needed that includes the derived scene image and extends beyondthe derived scene image on at least one side.

FIG. 9 illustrates an original electronic image 142 of a scene capturedby an imager 24 that is “oversized” relative to the archival imagecaptured by the camera 10. FIG. 10 illustrates a verification image 144that has a rectangular format and is derived from the originalelectronic image 142. The verification image 144 is shown against acrosshatched box 146 that indicates the size and relative position ofthe original electronic image. The archival image captured has the samerelationship to the original electronic image, as is shown for theverification image in FIG. 10. The original electronic image is scaledand proportioned so as to permit the production of the revisionsuggestion image 138 c shown in FIG. 11 against box 146. This revisionsuggestion image 138 c mimics a 90 degree rotation of the camera 10. Thewidth and height of the original electronic image in FIG. 9 are equaland are proportional to the longest dimension of the archival image, asindicated by FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 12 illustrates an original electronicimage that is scaled and proportioned so as to permit revisionsuggestion images 138 c including rotation and recentering. The originalelectronic image extends beyond the verification image 144 on all foursides, as shown in FIG. 13.

An oversized imager for a particular configuration of archival image isprepared by designing the optical system to provide a desired angle ofview to particular imager, in a manner well known to those of skill inthe art. The imager angle of view exceeds that necessary to allow averification image to be derived that is offset sufficiently to removeparallax changes between the electronic capture unit and archivalcapture unit at different focus distances. The imager angle of view is,thus, oversized relative to both the archival image and any parallaxcorrection of the electronic image capture unit. This allows the camerato correct verification images and other derived images for parallax byshifting the portion of the original electronic image used to derive theimages. This is in addition to the other changes discussed herein,necessary to provide particular revision suggestions.

The evaluation capture unit 18 is configured to provide the angle ofview needed for an original electronic image 142 scaled and proportionedto match an archival image having a particular format. As aboveillustrated, the angle of view can be larger than the originalelectronic image 142 in one or both dimensions and actual dimensions ofthe imager 24 are not critical. For reasons of efficiency, it ispreferred that the imager 24 is no larger than necessary to enablerevision suggestions desired for the camera 10.

FIGS. 14a-18 illustrate the effect of reaiming and rotation revisionsuggestions on the required size of the original electronic image 142.In FIG. 14a, a verification image 144 is shown in which a subject's head148 is centered horizontally and vertically. A revision suggestion image138 c, shown in FIG. 14b, has the person's head 148 be moved up to aposition one-third of the distance from the top of the image. Thehorizontal position is unchanged. FIG. 14c shows the original dimensionsof the scene in solid lines 145 and the proposed change in dashed lines147. FIGS. 15a-15 c show the same things for a vertically orientedscene.

FIG. 16a shows the same scene as in FIG. 14a. FIG. 16b is a revisionsuggestion image 138 c showing the effect of camera rotation andreaiming to move the person's head 148 to one-third of the way down fromthe top of the image. FIG. 16c shows the effect of this change on thedimensions of the scene in the same manner as FIGS. 14c and 15 c. FIG.17a is a verification image 144 the shows the same scene as in FIG. 14b,that is, the person's head 148 is one-third down from the top of theimage. FIG. 17b is the same revision suggestion as in FIG. 16b. FIG.17c, the suggested change in the scene, differs from FIG. 14c; since therevision suggestion reaims the camera 10 through a different angle.

FIG. 19b shows a zoom in or move closer revision suggestion image 138 cthat would be provided in response to the verification image 144 of FIG.19a. FIG. 19c shows the effect of this change on the dimensions of thescene. FIGS. 20a-20 c are comparable, but the camera 10 is heldvertically and the revision suggestion image 138 c shows both zooming inor moving closer and repositioning the person's head to the one-thirdposition. To help the user, this suggestion can include a text messageor other indicia (not shown in FIGS. 20a-20 c, such as the words “zoomin”, indicating the action required of the photographer to implement therevision suggestion accompanying the image. The camera can follow thissame approach with all revision suggestions or only those that arecomplex and might be confusing. The text or other indicia can be imposedon the revision suggestion image 138 c or on a separate informationdisplay 114 or the like. The text can be simple or even incomplete onthe assumption that the user will rely predominantly on the image. Forexample, FIG. 20b could be provided with the message: “Zoom+Reposition”.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatical view of an imager 24 capable of capturing anoriginal electronic image that can be used for the revision suggestions138 shown in FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20. The solid line is the imager 24. Thedashed line 149 indicates the portion of the imager 24 that provides thederived scene image used as the verification image 144. (The dashed line149 shown has an aspect ratio of 4:7. The aspect ratio of theverification image is matched to the aspect ratio of the archivalimage.) The center (indicated by a plus sign “+”) of the derived sceneimage portion is centered horizontally and one-third down from the topof the original electronic image vertically. The longest dimension(indicated by an “x”) of the imager 24 is 4/3 of the correspondingdimension (indicated by an “a”) of the derived scene image portion. Theother dimension (indicated by a “y”) of the imager 24 is 7/6 ofdimension “a” of the derived scene image portion.

The imager 24 of FIG. 18 is also suitable for capturing an originalelectronic image 142 that can be used for revision suggestion images(not illustrated) that include zooming out or moving farther from thesubject.

The capabilities of the imager 24 of FIG. 18 can be implemented in acamera 10 that is capable of providing all of the revision suggestionsof FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20. This is convenient, since this combination ofrevision suggestions covers a great many of the common failings ofnovice photographers. Referring to FIG. 21, this combination also allowsthe camera 10 to offer multiple revision suggestions in response to thedetection of a particular set of scene parameters. In FIG. 21, forexample, a tree 150 is positioned at about the center of theverification image 144. The camera prepares a suggestion set havingthree revision suggestion images 138 c. All three of the revisionsuggestion images 138 c move the tree 150 up to the one-third point. Theuppermost revision suggestion image 1381 does nothing further. Thesecond 1382 has the camera 10 rotated 90 degrees. The third 1383 has thetree 150 zoomed in or closer.

In FIG. 21, the revision suggestions provide the user with both asuggested correction of the detected mispositioning of the tree 150 atthe center and, in addition, suggest alternative ways of composing thescene. This is likely to be valuable to the user, even if the user findsthe suggestion of reaiming to position the tree at the one-third pointto be inappropriate. For this and similar reasons, it is generallydesirable to provide revision suggestions to the user that suggestalternatives and different ways of looking at a scene, rather thansimply closely tying revision suggestion to just curing detectedproblems.

The imager 24 can provide an original electronic image 142 that has agreater assessment angle of view than even the imager 24 of FIG. 18.This is useful for reaiming in a horizontal direction, comparable to andin addition to, the reaiming in a vertical direction previouslydescribed. FIGS. 22-23 illustrate an original electronic image 142 forsuch an imager 24 and a corresponding revision suggestion image 138 cthat suggests recentering a detected subject in a horizontal direction.

The algorithm used to determine which revision suggestions to providecan be more or less complex, as desired, within the limits of availableprocessing power in the camera 10. For example, an implementation of asimple algorithm is illustrated in FIGS. 27-30. In this case, therangefinder data is first analyzed, as earlier discussed, to determinesubject and background. Suggestions are then made, except in one case,based solely on the relative position of the subject. FIGS. 27-30 showdetected subjects and resulting revision suggestions. Rangefinderinformation is represented by grids 91 of rangefinder regions 90 in amanner similar to FIG. 2. The position of the detected subject isindicated by boxes bearing an “X”. In all of these figures, the revisionsuggestions are made in relation to an H-aspect ratio (4:6) verificationimage. Similar suggestions would apply to C-aspect ratio (4:7) images.Revision suggestions are shown in FIGS. 27-30 by solid lines 145 for theoriginal dimensions of the scene and dashed lines 147 for the suggesteddimensions following the revision suggestion.

In FIG. 27, a relatively large subject 152 has what may be excessivebackground above and to the left of the subject. A first revisionsuggestion is reaiming vertically. A second revision suggestion ischanging to a panoramic aspect ratio. A third revision suggestion isreaiming vertically and to the right.

In FIG. 28, a subject 154 is narrow with what may be excessivebackground on both sides. A first revision suggestion is changing to avertical orientation. A second revision suggestion is changing to aC-aspect ratio.

In FIG. 29, a subject 156 has what may be excessive background above andon both sides. A first revision suggestion is reaiming and zoomingin/moving closer. A second revision suggestion is reaiming and changingto a vertical orientation. A third revision suggestion is reaiming andchanging to C-aspect ratio.

In FIG. 30, a subject 158 is off center, with what may be excessivebackground above the subject. The off center subject is assumed to beintentional, but a revision suggestion is changing to a Panoramic aspectratio.

Another situation, that is not illustrated, is that the rangefinder datashows only background, with no subject. In this case, a landscape imageis presumed and a panoramic aspect ratio is suggested. Brightness andcolor information can also be used to suggest reaiming to move theapparent horizon to the one-third point. For this revision suggestion,it is assumed that the sky is in the upper portion of the image and isbrighter or bluer than the rest of the image.

The image display 26 shows the verification image and the other derivedimages. This can be accomplished in several different ways. Arectangular display can show a rectangular derived image, of the sameaspect ratio, at full size and can show a reduced size image for acamera rotation revision suggestion. Alternatively, the image display 26can show the same suggestion sideways at full size for the imagedisplay. In this case, the user is forced to rotate the camera 10 to seethe displayed revision suggestion in proper orientation. This approachhas the advantage that the compared derived images are the size; but isnot preferred, since it is cumbersome and discourages rapid switchingbetween the verification image and revision suggestion images 138 c. (Itis expected that many users will find such rapid switching valuable forcomparing differences in the verification image and revision suggestionimages 138 c.

It is preferred that the image display 26 is oversized such that derivedimages having the same aspect ratio can be shown the same size invertical and horizontal orientations. A square display, as shown in FIG.1, is convenient for this purpose, but a rectangular display can also beused if the derived images are commonly sized to fit in allorientations.

In embodiments of the camera 10 in which the original electronic image142 is larger than the archival image and verification image 144, theelectronic capture unit 18 can assess ambient lighting for the originalelectronic image 142 as a whole or for the portion of the originalelectronic image 142 corresponding to the archival image and theverification image. (In both cases, as above discussed, actualmeasurements may be limited by sensor configuration to less than theentire area of the image.) It is currently preferred that ambientlighting be assessed using the portion of the original electronic imagethat provides the verification image and corresponds to the archivalimage. This approach follows the intentions of the photographer and alsoprovides values for capture settings that best match the scene.

Since the data is available, ambient lighting and other conditions foreach of the revision suggestion images 138 c can, optionally, also beassessed independently. These assesssments are not used to set exposureparameters, but rather to determine digital modifications for individualrevision suggestion images 138 c. The digital modifications change therespective revision suggestion images 138 c to mimic what would be seenin the succeeding archival image corresponding to the individualrevision suggestion image 138 c. This is necessarily inexact and islimited by available image information and processing speed and memoryconstraints. A further constraint, as earlier noted, is that the subjectof the scene must also remain available for recapture in the succeedingarchival image.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of this approach. The digitalmodification is the use of a lightening-darkening algorithm to mimic theeffects of changes in Ev (exposure value). A scene is first composed bythe photographer using the camera viewfinder 58. The viewfinder image160 of the scene has a subject 162, a woman holding a basket, positionedto one side rather than centered. (In this example, a house 163 is alsoshown. The house is much farther from the camera 10 than the woman andis treated as part of the background.) The shutter release is pressedthrough a first stroke, actuating switch S1. As, elsewhere discussed,this preliminary capture event (indicated in FIG. 24 by box 165) causesthe electronic imager to capture one or a series of preliminaryelectronic images 164 and to capture rangefinder information 91. Forsimplicity, the following discussion is based on usage of a singlepreliminary electronic image 164.

The preliminary electronic image 164 is digitized and subdivided intopaxels 166 resulting in a subdivided image 168. Each paxel 166 is ablock of pixels (not illustrated). For example, a convenient approachdivides an image into an array of 36 by 24 paxels, each paxel beingderived from a 16 by 16 block of pixels. (For clarity, the paxels inFIG. 24 are illustrated greatly oversized and in an n by n array. Paxelsare not limited to n by n blocks.)

A determination is made of the exposure value of a first portion 170 ofthe subdivided image 168. The first portion 170 matches the scenedefined by the viewfinder image 160 and is symbolized, in FIG. 24, by apattern of X's in the respective paxels 166 of the subdivided image 168.The pixels of the first portion 170 are combined into respective paxels166 by a pixel accumulator (not illustrated), which averageslogarithmically quantized RGB digital values to provide an array ofpaxel values for the paxels 166 in the first portion 170. The paxels 166are weighted, in one of the manners above-discussed, to determineexposure values for archival image capture and for capture of anoriginal electronic image 142 concurrent with capture of the archivalimage.

The rangefinder information is in the form of ranging values fordifferent elements (not separately illustrated) of the rangefinder 86.The values indicate detected distances in a pattern of regions 90defined by respective elements. The regions have a predeterminedrelationship to the scene and viewfinder image 160 (symbolized in FIG.24 by the region grid 91 superimposed on a representation of the scene).The autofocus uses the values for the regions to adjust focus of thetaking lens.

The shutter release is then pressed through a second stroke, actuatingswitch S2 and resulting in the main capture event (indicated by box 169in FIG. 24). The archival image 167 is captured. Concurrent with captureof the archival image 167, an original electronic image 142 is captured.The original electronic image is digitized to provide a digitizedoriginal electronic image 142 and a corresponding subdivided image 168 ais produced.

A verification image 144 is prepared from the first portion 170 of thesubdivided image 168 that corresponds to the scene. In FIG. 24, theverification image is shown at the upper right. Within the limits ofprocessing equipment and the like, the final image produced byphotofinishing will match the verification image 144.

Rangefinder information is accessed at this time (this is indicated inFIG. 24 by a repetition of region grid 91). The rangefinder informationused can be concurrent with the preliminary electronic image earlierdiscussed or can be new information resulting from a measurement ofrangefinder values at the time of archival image capture, depending uponavailable processing power and other practical limitations. The valuesfor the regions 90 are compared and a subject is determined. Thisanalysis may correspond to the autofocusing earlier performing, or canweigh values in a different manner. In FIG. 24, the subject isdetermined to be off-center. This information and other values of cameraparameters are fed into a look-up table 136, which, in response,supplies a revision suggestion to reaim the camera 10 to center thesubject. This is indicated by the displaced pattern 172 of X's in therespective paxels 166 of the subdivided image. A revision suggestionimage 138 c is prepared from the second portion of the originalelectronic image defined by the displaced pattern 172.

In the verification image 144, the sun 182 is in the background. In therevision suggestion image 138 c shown in FIG. 24, the camera is reaimedand the sun 182 would be out of the angle of view of the archival imagecapture unit 16. With some light metering arrangements, this wouldresult in different exposure parameters than were determined for thefirst scene. The presence or absence of the sun in the scene can causedifferent exposure parameters to be determined. For example, theforeground of the scene can be underexposed if the sun is in the sceneand properly exposed when the sun is excluded.

This type of change from a verification image 144 to a revisionsuggestion image 138 c can be accommodated by using the array of paxels166 corresponding to the revision suggestion image 138 c to determinehypothetical exposure parameters which can then be used by alightening-darkening modification algorithm 178 to calculatemodifications of the respective portion of the electronic image to mimicthe effect the exposure parameters would produce in the operation of thearchival image capture unit 16. The modifications are applied to producethe respective revision suggestion image 138 c, as needed.

Exposure parameter changes alter exposure parameters, such as shutterspeed, diaphragm opening, and lighting. The revision suggestion images138 c that present exposure parameter changes are generated by modifyingthe entire scene or only part of the scene, in a manner similar to therevision suggestion image 138 c just described, in which the exposureparameters differed between the different portions of the originalelectronic image.

A variety of exposure parameter revision suggestions can be provided forflash related changes. The use of full flash can be suggested. This canbe provided when the camera 10 detects a dark subject against a darkbackground, with both the subject and background within flash range. Acorresponding revision suggestion image 138 c can be uniformlybrightened digitally to mimic the effect of the flash. The use of fillflash can be suggested. This can be provided by a digital modificationthat lightens paxels 166 in the revision suggestion image 138 c matchingthe position of the subject detected by the rangefinder 86. If thecamera 10 detected a dark subject against a dark, out of flash rangebackground; the camera 10 could suggest two revision suggestions: onefor normal flash, depicted by lightening the subject only; and anotherfor night portrait, depicted by lightening the subject and lighteningthe background to some degree. (In night portrait, the subject is mainlyexposed by flash illumination, but the shutter remains open sufficientlyto provide an ambient light background exposure. Night portrait mode isdesigned for situations, in which a flash exposure sufficient for aforeground subject is insufficient to illuminate the backgroundadequately. With night portrait mode, the subject is well exposed by theflash against a visible background.)

Changes in depth of field and focus zone can be presented in a similarmanner. Areas of the revised suggestion images detected at variousdistances can be blurred or sharpened digitally to mimic opticalblurring and sharpening resulting from changes in lens focus and depthof field.

FIGS. 31a-31 c are a flow-chart of a particular embodiment of cameralogic implementing the providing of the above discussed composition andexposure parameter revision suggestions. Beginning at “Start 184”, theuser presses the shutter release 22 through a first stroke closingswitch S1. The camera determines (186) if switch S1 is closed and, ifso, one or more preliminary electronic images are captured (188). Theflash setting, print format selection, image orientation, and ranginginformation are also determined (190), (192), (194), (196).

The camera determines (198) if switch S2 is closed by the user pushingthe shutter release through the second stroke. If so, the camera firstfocuses (200) the taking lens and captures (202) the archival image.Other parts of the optical system, such as the viewfinder lens unit, arefocused in tandem with the taking lens, as necessary and within thelimitations of differences in focus positions and the like. At least oneevaluation image is captured (204) by the electronic imager concurrentwith capture of the archival image. The evaluation image is digitized(206). A verification image is derived (208) from the digitizedevaluation image.

Either at this point or earlier, the camera determines (210) the subjectand the background in the scene. The camera compares (212) thesubject-background information and other values of exposure parametersto the look-up table to see if the determined information matches presetconditions for one or more of the revision suggestions in the look-uptable and generate (214) the revision suggestion set. The revisionsuggestion set is saved (216) to memory.

The user actuates switch S3 to view derived images. The cameradetermines (218) if switch S3 is closed and, if so, actuates the imagedisplay. It is preferred that S3 be configured to remain open, despiteattempted user actuation, if switch S1 is closed. Upon closure of switchS3, the verification image is shown (220) on the display.

The user can then actuate switch S4 to view revision suggestion images.The camera determines (222) if switch S4 is closed. If switch S4 isclosed, the camera reads (224) the revision suggestion set, generates(226) a first revision suggestion image, and shows (228) the firstrevision suggestion image in place of the verification image.

Camera determines (230) if all of the revision suggestion images havebeen shown and, if not, repeats the steps of the last paragraph for eachof the revision suggestion images of the suggestion set. When all of therevision suggestion images of the set have been shown, the cameradetermines (232) if the user is done reviewing the images. If not, thecamera repeats the steps beginning with determining whether switch S3has been actuated. If the user is done, then the camera returns to aninitial condition as at the start (184). A switch S5 can be provided toallow the user to provide an overt indication of being done reviewingimages. Alternatively, a timer can presume the user is done after aperiod of inactivity or the like. The camera can also monitor foractuation of switch S1 and stop displaying derived images wheneverswitch S1 is pressed.

The above discussion has generally been limited to simple revisionsuggestions and simple parameters triggering implementation of thosesuggestions. In actual use, more complicated approaches are likely to befound more beneficial for users. For example, revision suggestions ofone or more of: reaiming the camera, rotating the camera, and zooming ormoving closer, can be limited to scenes in which a subject is detectedin a particular distance range, such as 3 to 20 feet (1 to 6 meters) bythe rangefinder.

OUTPUT QUALITY WARNINGS

Referring now to FIGS. 32-45, in some embodiments, the camera 10provides an output quality warning if a captured archival image islikely to be of low quality when photofinished. The warning allows theuser to take another picture of the same subject matter, whilecorrecting for the undesired condition that was present in the earliercapture event. The warnings are based on an analysis of one or moreevaluation images captured during archival image capture. The warningscan be provided in addition to revision suggestions or can be providedseparately without revision suggestions.

Referring now to FIG. 43, in the method for providing output qualitywarnings, the capture settings are determined (254) for archival imagecapture and the archival image is captured (256). Concurrent withcapture (256) of the archival image is capture (258) of a plurality ofevaluation images. One or more image characteristics of the evaluationimages are determined (260) following capture (258). The imagecharacteristics of the evaluation images are then compared (262) tostandard ranges provided in a lookup table (not illustrated). An outputquality warning is then generated (264) when one or more of the imagecharacteristics is outside one of the standard ranges. The verificationimage is presented (266) to the user on the display and that the sametime the output quality warning is also presented (268).

The warnings can be depicted by indicia or images or a combination. FIG.38 illustrates a verification image 144 and four different depictions ofa warning that the final image is likely to be too dark afterphotofinishing. A first warning depiction 236 a is an icon in the formof a stylized letter “D”. A second warning depiction 236 b is the text“too dark”. A third warning depiction 236 c is a derived image which isdarkened excessively relative to the verification image 144. A similarwarning depiction (not illustrated) can be a depiction of fully blackimage. Another warning depiction 236 d is a combination of theverification image 144 and the text message “too dark”. The warningdepiction 236 necessarily differs from the verification image, since theverification image is not in and of itself a warning. In all cases, thewarning 236 depicts a particular problem expected in the final imageafter photofinishing, in a manner that is more apparent to the user thanwould be the case with the verification image 144. This is shown in FIG.38. The third warning depiction 236 c is a modification of a derivedimage in which the image is artificially darkened much more than theverification image 144. This darkening is readily apparent to the user.The fourth warning depiction 236 d is a combination of the verificationimage 144 and a superimposition on the verification image 144 of thetext “too dark”. For ease of rapid recognition, it is preferred thatwarnings 236 are in the form of indicia, such as text, either by itselfor in combination with a derived image.

The warning can be presented as text or other indicia, on theinformation display 114 instead of the image display 26. If the warningsare presented on the information display 114, it is preferred that theinformation display 114 and the image display 26 be provided in a userinterface 118 that can be perused in a single glance without reorientingthe camera 10. This allows a user to quickly check for warning messages236 while reviewing the verification image 144.

It is possible for the warning 236 to be presented by an indicator (notillustrated) such as a light emitting diode or the like. This approachis not preferred. The reasons are that an indicator light or theequivalent is much more ambiguous than the other warning depictionsearlier discussed unless an impractical number or arrangement of manyindicators is provided. It is much simpler and more practical to presentnecessary text or other indicia on a display.

It is preferred that the warnings 236 attract the attention of the userto an unambiguous message that there will be a problem in the finalimage after photofinishing. Currently preferred forms of warnings arestatic, scrolling, or blinking text messages and large icons centered onthe image display. The indicia can also be highlighted. “Highlighting”here refers to any presentation, such as brighter lighting, that makesone of a group of icons more noticeable.

FIGS. 33-37 illustrate some specific examples of how the warning 236 canbe provided. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 33-37, the informationdisplay 114 is rectangular and contiguous with the bottom of the imagedisplay 26. Textual warning messages are presented on the informationdisplay.

In FIG. 33, the scene was properly captured, with no motion or exposureproblems, and the information display 114 does not provide a warningmessage. A text message 238 indicates that the film unit 36 includesrecorded information that is interpreted at photofinishing to requireprinting of “1 copy” of the archival image. FIG. 34 illustrates the sameinformation panel as in FIG. 33, but after a different scene has beencaptured. In this example, the user moved the camera 10 as the picturewas taken. A warning message is provided in the information display 114indicating that there was too much motion. In addition, the print countis automatically set to zero copies, so that the archival image will notbe printed in this case, unless overwritten by the user.

FIG. 35 illustrates the same information panel as in FIG. 33, but aftera different scene has been captured. In this example, the user took aportrait under backlighted conditions and the sun was included in thearchival image field-of-view. A warning message is provided by theinformation display 114 indicating that the highlights are too bright.The print count is again set to zero. FIG. 36 illustrates an alternativewarning message for the same picture taking conditions as in the exampleof FIG. 35. In FIG. 36, a large warning message icon 236 a is overlaidin the image. This icon may be a bright color (e.g. bright red) and/ormay be flashing, in order to gain the user's attention. In FIG. 37, thewarning message 236 b, “BACKLIT SCENE FILL FLASH ON”, is that the camerahas responded to lighting conditions with an automatic compensation,which will may or may not be acceptable to the user.

In FIG. 34, the warning message is based on an analysis of one or moreexposure characteristics of two or more temporally displaced electronicimages captured, concurrently with archival image capture. As disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,198, multiple images can be used to determine ifthe captured latent image was blurred by relative motion of the camera10 and the contents of the scene.

Camera motion that occurs during the archival image exposure timeinterval is captured in the latent image as a blurred image. Subjectmotion, rather than camera motion, appears as a blurred area within thelatent image. The extent of blur is a function of range of theparticular motion and the time duration of the motion relative to thelatent image time interval. This blur may or may not be visualized in asingle concurrent electronic image depending upon any difference in theelectronic exposure time interval and the latent image time interval.Shutter times can be made the same for electronic and latent images, butnot without considerable difficulty.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,198 discloses a technique for visualizing motionblur in a verification image. In this technique, two temporallydisplaced electronic images are captured during the archival imageexposure time interval and combined to provide the verification image.The result, two superimposed images, approximates the motion blur in thearchival image. (FIG. 34 illustrates this with two combined line images240,242.)

The camera 10 uses this technique to prepare a verification image and,in addition, makes a determination for warning purposes as to whethermotion blur is present. Movement of the optical system 56 relative toall or part of the scene is determined by comparing the values from twodigital images taken at different times during the film exposure period.Hand shake, undesired movement in the scene to be captured, and thelike, can be determined by determining the amount of difference betweenthe two images. If this motion-related difference exceeds a threshold, awarning message is shown on the image display 26.

Referring now to FIG. 39, capture, during archival image capture, of thetwo digital images 244,246 used for motion blur analysis is preferablytimed to occur at the beginning 248 and end 250 of the archival imageexposure time interval 252. (The two additional electronic images shownin FIG. 39 are discussed below in relation to exposure analysis.)Motions that cause a difference in the scene image between initial andfinal portions 248,250 of the archival image exposure time interval 252will cause corresponding differences in the digital images 244,246.These digital images 244,246 from the beginning and end of the latentimage capture interval are referred to here as “first and lastelectronic images 244,246”. This term is inclusive of both therespective original electronic images and corresponding derived images.More precise terminology, such as “first and last original electronicimages” and “first and last evaluation images”, is used only when afurther distinction is needed.

The verification image can be either of the first or last evaluationimages or, preferably, the verification image can be provided by apixel-by-pixel combination of the two images, with intensities reducedby half before or after combining.

Relative camera-scene motion that is completely limited to the middleportion 278 of the archival image exposure time interval 252 is notdetected. For most picture taking, this is unimportant; since themajority of motions seen in actual picture taking and those motions mostdamaging to photofinished final image quality would be detected.

It is preferred that capture of the first original electronic image 244begin at substantially the same time as the archival image exposure timeinterval 252 and that capture of the last original electronic image 246end at substantially the same time as the archival image exposure timeinterval 252. The alternative, that the electronic exposure timeinterval of one or both of the first and last original images 244,246goes beyond the time limits of the archival image exposure time interval252; presents a risk that the resultant combined image will show motionthat was not timely and was not captured by the latent image. The firstand last original electronic image time intervals 280,282 are“substantially” simultaneous with the archival image exposure timeinterval if any difference in simultaneity is of a length of time thatwould stop motion in an image capture event. For example, a firstoriginal electronic image time interval that started 1/250 second beforethe archival image exposure time interval would be substantiallysimultaneous with the archival image exposure time interval. Therelative proportions of the initial portion 248, middle portion 278, andfinal portion 250 of the archival image exposure time interval 252 canvary, but it is preferred that the initial and final portions 248,250 beequal in duration and have the same temporal overlap with the respectivefirst and last electronic exposure time intervals 280,282.

The evaluation of motion requires an imager 24 that can obtain at leasttwo exposures in the archival image exposure time interval. The relativephotographic speeds of the film 20 and the imager 24 must be selected soas to make this possible. This currently is very easy to accomplish,since relatively fast imagers and slower films are readily available. Itis convenient to select an imager first and then select a film that hasa photographic speed allowing archival image exposure time intervalsthat permit multiple exposures by that particular imager.

The two evaluation images derived from the first and last originalelectronic images 244,246 are subtracted, in the form of intensities ona pixel-by-pixel basis, to prepare a difference image (not illustrated)that indicates the magnitude of the difference between the first andlast images 244,246. (Different exposure times can be adjusted for, butit is preferred that the first and last original electronic images244,246 have the same exposure time.) The difference image is comparedto a threshold and if the difference image exceeds the threshold, awarning message is provided to the user. This comparison is illustratedin FIG. 40 by a histogram 253 of an example difference image plottingintensity versus number of pixels at each unit intensity. A curve 255 onthe same plot shows the threshold. In this example the difference imagedoes not exceed the threshold. Determination of such histograms isperformed in the control system using methods well-known to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 44 illustrates these steps for the method shown in FIG. 43. Thelast evaluation image 246 is subsampled (270) and the first evaluationimage 244 is subtracted (272). (In addition to producing differencevalues, this procedure also, in effect, subsamples the first evaluationimage 244 in the same manner as the last evaluation image 246.) Theabsolute value of the intensity of each pixel of the difference image iscalculated. If there were no motion, and no electronic noise, thisdifference image would be equal to zero. However, due to noise andsubject motion, the difference image pixel values are generallynon-zero. The larger the values, the more motion was present in thecaptured film image. The difference image is compared (274) to thethreshold. For example, as discussed above a histogram providing thenumber of pixels at each particular code value can be calculated andplotted against a predetermined threshold curve. The camera checks (276)if the difference image is within or beyond the threshold and generates(264) a warning only when needed. In addition to a warning, the cameracan provide a revision suggestion that the user try to hold the camerasteadier, use a tripod, or the like.

FIG. 40 depicts the motion blur testing histogram for the capture eventcorresponding to the verification image shown in FIG. 33, along with thethreshold limit curve 255 for excessive motion blur. The histogram countat each code value is compared to the threshold limit at that same codevalue provided by curve 255. If the threshold comparison indicates thatthe threshold is never exceeded for any pixel code value, then there isno motion blur problem. If the threshold comparison indicates that thethreshold is exceeded for at least one code value, the quality isdetermined to be unsuitable due to motion blur. The example depicted inFIG. 40 has no motion blur. FIG. 34 illustrates a captured image inwhich the user moved the camera 10 as the picture was taken. In thiscase, the threshold curve of FIG. 40 is exceeded and a warning messageindicating excessive motion is provided on the information display.

Alternative methods of determining the amount of motion blur can beutilized. For example, a threshold comparison could require that thethreshold be exceeded for several code values before indicating that thequality was unsuitable; or the average of the absolute value of allpixels in the difference image can be calculated and compared to athreshold code value. The desirablity of a particular comparison dependsupon the level of motion blur considered acceptable for a particular useand the level of electronic noise expected with a particular camera.Other algorithms for determining motion blur, for example, algorithmsbased on the results of motion vectors calculated using the first andlast electronic images, could alternatively be used.

Multiple original electronic images can also be used to determinewhether a final image that will be produced by photofinishing aparticular non-flash archival image will have a range of luminancevalues likely to represent an unsuitable picture by reason ofoverexposure or underexposure or what is, in effect, a combination ofboth. (A common example of the latter is a backlit scene shot withoutfill-flash.) This exposure evaluation can be combined with an evaluationfor motion blur.

The exposure evaluation here is directed to the expected qualities of afinal image produced by photofinishing, rather than the qualities of thescene captured. This takes into account the latitude of photographicfilm, particularly photographic print film, which corrects moderate overand under exposure of the archival image.

In the capture event, the latent film image is captured by momentarilyopening the film shutter 92 for an archival image exposure time intervalwith the film diaphragm at an archival image diaphragm setting. Theduration of the archival image exposure time interval and the archivalimage diaphragm setting are determined and set, before the film exposurebegins, in the same manner as in other photographic film cameras 10. Anexposure value for a particular scene is evaluated and the shutter anddiaphragm settings are determined. This is generally described here asan automatic procedure, but these procedures could be performedmanually, for example, by using an external meter and fully manualcontrols.

As noted, the photographic film has an exposure latitude that does notrequire archival image capture at an optimum exposure value. The term“exposure latitude” is used herein to refer to the exposure range of acharacteristic curve segment over which instantaneous gamma ([DELTA]D/[DELTA]log E) is at least 25 percent of the average gamma in thestraight line center portion of the characteristic curve. (The term “E”is used to indicate exposure in lux-seconds. The term “gamma” isemployed to indicate the incremental increase in image density ([DELTA]D) produced by a corresponding incremental increase in log exposure([DELTA] log E) and indicates the maximum gamma measured over anexposure range extending between a first characteristic curve referencepoint lying at a density of 0.15 above minimum density and a secondcharacteristic curve reference point separated from the first referencepoint by 0.9 log E. The exposure latitude of a color element havingmultiple color recording units is the exposure range over which thecharacteristic curves of the red, green, and blue color recording unitssimultaneously fulfill the aforesaid definition.) The archival imagecapture, thus, can be anywhere within a range of exposure values andsatisfactory results will be obtained. The exposure latitude isparticularly broad with color negative film, i.e., print film.

The camera 10 provides a warning when an archival image exceeds apredetermined exposure requirement. To do so, the camera 10 must takeinto account the exposure latitude of the film used and the relationshipof camera determined exposure values to the exposure latitude.

A relationship of camera determined exposure values to exposurelatitude, in most cameras 10, is simple. The film shutter 92 anddiaphragm settings are matched to the determined exposure value, withinthe limits of accuracy of camera components. This approach is simple andindependent of available exposure latitude. An alternative approach isto offset film shutter 92 and diaphragm settings from a determinedexposure value relying upon some of the available exposure latitude. Forconvenience, cameras 10 disclosed herein are described in terms of, butnot limited to, the simpler approach of matching to the determinedexposure value.

The camera 10 can determine the exposure latitude for a loaded film byreading an encodement or manual setting. The camera 10 can instead belimited to using photographic films that all have similar exposurelatitudes. This is currently the case for Advanced Photo System™ (APS™)films (also referred to herein as “APS negative films”), which arelimited to color and chromogenic negative films, which all have similarexposure latitudes. For example, the camera could be limited to use withAPS negative films having an exposure value for acceptable images of upto 4 photographic stops overexposure and up to 2 stops of underexposurerelative to an optimized exposure. As an alternative, warning messagescan be limited to occasions when appropriate films are used, asdetermined automatically by the camera 10 from a film unit encodement,such as a DX code or manually set by the user. Each encodement or manualsetting would define a particular exposure latitude for the purposes ofwarning messages.

Corresponding to the archival image exposure value is a nominalelectronic exposure value for electronic image capture. The nominalelectronic exposure value is calculated in the same manner as thearchival image exposure value, but based on parameters of the evaluationcapture unit 18 rather than the archival image capture unit 16. Theimager 24 of the evaluation capture unit 18 differs from photographicfilm in that, at least in comparison to film, the imager 24 exhibits anegligible amount of the above-discussed exposure latitude. Commonlyavailable commercial imager have this characteristic. In practicalterms, the exposure latitude of these imagers is within limits ofaccuracy for setting exposure parameters and can thus be ignored.

The nominal electronic exposure value is used to provide settings forthe first and last original images that are used for the motion bluranalysis earlier discussed. Either of these two original electronicimages can be used in deriving the verification image, or, preferably,the verification image can be provided by a pixel-by-pixel combinationof the two images. The camera 10 is generally discussed here in terms offirst and last original images, each exposed at the nominal electronicexposure value; and a verification image derived by reducing pixelvalues of each image by half and combining the results. Otherapproaches, such as combining pixel values of first and last originalimages exposed at exposure levels reduced by half, can also be used toproduce an equivalent verification image. For convenience, theverification image is generally referred to herein as having beenexposed at the nominal electronic exposure value. This usage isinclusive of the various different approaches used to produce theverification image. Also for convenience, the camera 10 is generallydiscussed in relation to an embodiment simultaneously providing bothmotion blur analysis and exposure analysis.

Referring to FIG. 39, for exposure analysis, at least two more originalelectronic images are captured in addition to the first and lastoriginal images. The different original electronic images can beseparated only by a minimal time interval imposed by the imager or moreof the original electronic images can be delayed relative to a precedingoriginal electronic image, within the limits of available time. Thecapture of four temporally displaced original electronic images isconvenient for this purpose. Those original images include the first andlast original images 244,246 and two more original electronic images284,286 (also referred to here as “exposure original electronicimages”). After capture, each of the original electronic images are sentas analog output to the A/D converter 104 for conversion to digitalimages, which are then stored in memory 54. Original images not need forthe production of the verification image can be subsampled to reduce thesize of the memory needed for storage, since the processing needed todetermine whether the image quality is suitable can be performed on arelatively low resolution image.

The exposure original electronic images 284,286 can be captured duringthe archival image exposure time interval 252, between capture of thefirst and last original images 244,246. Alternatively, the exposureoriginal electronic images 284,286 can be captured outside the archivalimage exposure time interval 252 (this is not illustrated). Thosecaptures can be either before or after the archival image exposure timeinterval 252, or one exposure original electronic image 284 or 286 canbe captured before and the other 286 or 284 can be captured after thearchival image exposure time interval 252. Due to the possibility ofchanging exposure conditions and to minimize time requirements for eachpicture taking event, it is preferred that the exposure originalelectronic images 284,286 are both captured during the archival imageexposure time interval 252.

The exposure original electronic images 284,286 have higher and lowerexposure values than the nominal electronic exposure value and arereferred to as an “overexposure image 286” and “underexposure image284”, respectively. The order indicated by the references numbers 284and 286 and shown in FIG. 39 is unimportant. Either exposure originalelectronic image 284 or 286 can precede the other.

The overexposure and underexposure values are selected to represent thelimits of the maximum exposure latitude of the film. For example, withcolor negative film that has an exposure value latitude for acceptableimages of up to 4 photographic stops overexposure and up to 2 stops ofunderexposure; the overexposure setting exposes the color negative filmat +2 stops and the underexposure setting exposes the film at −4 stops.

Whether a latent film image was exposed at a suitable level isdetermined by analyzing the histograms of the verification image, theoverexposure image, and the underexposure image. Determination of suchhistograms can be performed in the same manner as earlier described forthe motion blur analysis.

If the verification image has many pixels values at the minimum andmaximum levels, the histograms from the over-exposed and under-exposedimages can be examined to determine how significant the over or underexposure was, taking into account the particular film type. For example,pixels can be counted that have a code value of 0 using a scale ofpossible values of 0 to 255 in both the verification image and theoverexposure image. Likewise, pixels can be counted that have a codevalue of 255 using the same scale in both the verification image and theunderexposure image.

In the example shown in FIG. 39, four temporally displaced originalelectronic images are captured. The first original electronic image 244is captured, followed by capture of the underexposure image 284,followed by capture of the overexposure image 286, followed by captureof the last original electronic image 246. The imager 24 has a nominalelectronic exposure time interval “t” for a properly exposed originalelectronic image. The first and last original images 244,246 are exposedduring first and last original electronic image time intervals 280,282that each have the same duration as the nominal exposure time interval“t′. The underexposure image 284 is exposed during an underexposure timeinterval 288 that is shorter in duration than time interval “t”. Theoverexposure image 286 is exposed during an overexposure time interval290 that has a longer exposure time than time interval “t”.

As illustrated in FIG. 39, the underexposure time interval is relativelyshort, compared to the time intervals of the other original electronicimages, and provides an underexposed image; and the overexposure timeinterval is relatively long compared to the others, and provides anoverexposed image. If the evaluation capture unit of the camera 10 has avariable aperture, then the duration of one or both of the exposureevaluation time intervals can be changed, while keeping the sameexposure value, by changing a diaphragm setting.

The sequence of procedures followed by the camera in capturing thearchival and electronic images is shown in FIG. 45. The controller 81initially does a determination (292) of whether the first switch S1 “S1”is closed. If so, then the light value is ascertained (294) based on thefilm type and speed loaded in the camera 10 (which can be determinedusing the DX code as is well-known in the art) and the film shutter 92and aperture are calculated (296) and the electronic exposure timeintervals are calculated (296). (In this embodiment, the aperture forthe imager 24 does not change.) During this time, a determination (298)is made that the second switch S2 “S2” is closed. The film aperture isset (300) and the film shutter 92 timer is set (302). The film shutter92 is opened (304) and the electronic shutter is opened and closed toexpose (306) the first original electronic image 244, for a period oftime t. This first electronic image 244 is then subsampled and stored inmemory 54. (The subsampling and storing of the electronic images are notillustrated in FIG. 45.)

The electronic shutter is next opened and closed to expose (308) theunderexposed image 284 for a period of time t/16, corresponding to a −4stop exposure relative to the normal exposure, and the underexposedelectronic image is subsampled and stored in memory 54. The electronicshutter is then opened and closed to expose (310) the overexposed image286 for a period of time 4 t, corresponding to a +2 stop exposurerelative to the normal exposure, and the overexposed image 286 issubsampled and stored in memory 54. A time delay is waited (312) throughso that the last electronic image capture begins at the appropriatetime, and the last original electronic image 246, is exposed (314) andstored in memory 54.

The film shutter 92 timer is checked (not shown) and the film shutter 92is closed (316) at the end of the archival image exposure time interval252. The film is then transported (not shown) to advance to the nextfilm frame.

The difference between the first and last original electronic images244,246 is analyzed (318) to determine if there was motion blur inexcess of a first threshold. The underexposed image 284 is analyzed(320) to determine if there are highlights in excess of a secondthreshold. The overexposed image 286 is analyzed to determine (322) ifthere are shadows which exceed a third threshold.

If any of the thresholds are exceeded an appropriate warning isgenerated (324) and the print count default is set (326) to zero prints.This also sets (327) a display timer and enables the display to show(328) the warning. Alternatively, the display timer and display can beenabled by the user using an appropriate button or other user control(not shown).

The display is shown (328) and continues with the controller checking(330),(332) if the display time has elapsed or the first switch S1 isclosed, in which case, the display is disabled (334).

FIGS. 41-42 illustrate a particular approach for analyzing exposurelevel. Referring to FIG. 41, a histogram 335 providing the number ofpixels in the underexposed image 284 (captured using an exposure time oft/16) having each particular code value is shown along with a thresholdcurve 336 for excessive highlights. Since the underexposed image 284 hasa very short exposure time (−4 stops), there should be very few pixelshaving high code values, unless there are some very bright scenehighlights, as is the case with some backlit scenes. The histogram countat each code value is compared to the threshold limit at that same codevalue provided by curve. If the threshold comparison indicates, that thethreshold is exceeded for at least one code value, the quality isdetermined to be unsuitable due to highlight exposure problems. On theother hand, if the threshold comparison indicates that the threshold isnever exceeded for any pixel code value, then there is no highlightexposure problem. This is the situation for the example depicted in FIG.41.

Referring to FIG. 42, a histogram 337 is shown for the number of pixelsin the overexposed image 286 (captured using an exposure time of 4 t)having each particular code value along with a threshold curve 338 forexcessive shadows. Since the overexposed image has a very long exposuretime (+2 stops), there should be very few pixels having low code values,unless there are some very dark shadows in the scene. The histogramcount at each code value is compared to the threshold limit at that samecode value provided by curve. If the threshold comparison indicates thatthe threshold is exceeded for at least one code value, the quality isdetermined to be unsuitable due shadow exposure problems. On the otherhand, if the threshold comparison indicates that the threshold is neverexceeded for any pixel code value, then there is no shadow exposureproblem. This is the situation for the example depicted in FIG. 42.

Lookup tables are provided for the over and under exposure thresholdsand processing is performed by the control system as above described forthe motion blur analysis. The evaluation of over and under exposure canlikewise be varied, as noted above for the motion blur analysis.

Warning messages are provided to the user when a significantover-exposure or under-exposure condition is detected. If theunderexposure image contains many pixels at high code values, then theexposure value of the archival image, which corresponds to the exposurevalue of the verification image, was too high to capture imagehighlights. If the overexposure image contains many pixels with low codevalues, then the exposure value of the archival image was too low tocapture shadow details. In either case, the user is warned that thecaptured image is expected to provide a less than satisfactory qualityprint.

After the user is warned that the motion blur or scene exposure settingis expected to provide an unsuitable quality print, the user can thenrepeat the picture taking event. In some embodiments, such as cameras 10providing Advanced Photo System features, the user can change the numberof photographic prints ordered to be other than a default number ofprints, usually one print. If desired, the camera 10 can automaticallychange to a default number of prints for images determined to be ofunsuitable quality to zero. This is shown in FIGS. 33-36. In FIG. 33,the scene was properly captured and the print count display has a textmessage 238 that indicates that one print of this film image will beprovided, unless the user changes the print count. In FIGS. 34-36, thearchival images are unsuitable for prints, the camera 10 has changed theprint count, and the print count message 238 indicates that zero printsof this film image will be provided, unless the user changes the printcount.

The verification image can be displayed when the user actuates a switchfor the verification image. The warning message can instead be providedimmediately following capture, without requiring a switch actuation, asdesired. Revision suggestions are provided following actuation of aswitch. The revision suggestions can include information on potentialways to avoid the problem or problems that caused a warning message tobe presented in relation to a previous exposure. For example, scrollingtext can provide various reasons why the picture may have had camera 10shake as well as potential ways to reduce the motion in future images,such as holding the camera 10 steady with both hands. Similarly warningmessage text can provide an explanation of the problem of a backlitscene and a revision suggestion can be provided that a fill flash beused. Revision suggestions related to warning messages, like otherrevision suggestions earlier discussed, can be provided as revisionsuggestion images 138 c or indicia or a combination of both.

REVISED RECAPTURE CAMERA

In a particular an embodiment of the invention, the camera 10 accepts aninput from the user choosing one of the revision suggestions. The camera10 then acts upon the chosen revision suggestion by resetting thecapture configuration of the camera 10 for recapture of the same sceneimplementing the chosen revision suggestion. The user can then repeatimage capture and, if the conditions have not changed, the resultingarchival image closely resembles the chosen revision suggestion.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 46, and 47, the user captures an archivalimage and one or more evaluation images of the scene by pressing(indicated by arrow 340 in FIG. 46) the shutter release 22, as earlierdiscussed in relation to FIGS. 31a-31 b. The viewfinder image 160 showncorresponds to the scene image captured. In the camera shown in FIG. 46,the image display is not used as an electronic viewfinder and no imageis shown at the time of image capture.

In FIG. 46, the camera 10 is attached to a tripod 342 (indicated bydashed lines) and the camera 10 and model 344 in the images remainimmobile during the steps shown. These conditions are imposed tosimplify understanding in this discussion. If a tripod is not present,then it is expected that the camera will be moved between capture of thescene and later recapture, even if the photographer and model havethemselves not moved and the camera is positioned in the same place forcapture and recapture. Such movements would change what the viewfindershows during intermediate steps, but would not change other featuresshown in FIG. 46. The camera is not, however, limited to use insituations in which the scene remains static. Many or most revisionsuggestions remain applicable despite some relative movement between asubject and the photographer or other moderate changes in sceneconditions. For example, a revision suggestion to zoom in is dependentupon the relative separation of the subject and the be photographer.Other movement of the subject or exchange of one human subject foranother at the same distance does not affect the applicability of therevision suggestion.

The camera 10 has a display switch 346 (“S-display” in FIG. 47) that isselectively actutated (indicated by arrow 348) by the user to activatethe image display 26 following image capture. The control system 80checks (358) for this actuation and responsively shows (360) theverification image 144 on the image display 26.

The camera 10 has a suggestion review switch 350 (“S-suggest” in FIG.47) that is selectively pushed (indicated by arrow 352) by the user.This momentarily closes switch 350. The control system 80 checks (362)for this closing. Responsive to this actuation of switch 350, thecontrol system 80 reads (364) the revision suggestion set in memory,generates (366) a revision suggestion image 138 c and shows (368) therevision suggestion image 138 c on the image display 26.

In FIG. 46, the revision suggestion shown is to zoom in to apredetermined extent. The revision suggestion is provided in the form ofboth a revision suggestion image 138 c and a text suggestion 138 apresented on the information display.

The control system 80 next checks (370) if an enter switch 354 is closedand, if not, checks (372) if all members of a suggestion set have beenshown. If not, then the process of checking for actuation of thesuggestion review switch 350 through display of the next revisionsuggestion image is repeated. The revision suggestion images 138 c arecycled through by repeated actuations of the suggestion review switch350.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 47, the control system 80 also checks(376), after all the revision suggestion images have been shown, andchecks (380)for an actuation of the display switch 346. If an actuationis found, then the process is repeated starting with a redisplay of theverification image. A timer (not shown) can be provided to give the usera limited period to press the display button and, if the display buttonis not pressed in that time period, return to the camera to a startcondition.

A revision suggestion is chosen by the photographer actuating (indicatedby arrow 378 in FIG. 46) the enter switch 354 (“S-edit” in FIG. 47). Thechoice of the revision suggestion causes the control system 80 to set up(374) the camera 10 in a capture configuration that would allowrecapture of the original scene in the manner indicated by the chosenrevision suggestion. As shown in FIG. 46, the viewfinder image 160 ischanged and matches the chosen revision suggestion. The camera is readyfor archival image recapture and no image is shown on the image display.When a revision suggestion is chosen, the unchosen revision suggestionsare no longer necessary and can be deleted from memory to save space.

The retaining of the camera in the capture configuration used for thearchival image, as illustrated by the verification image 144, can beprovided as a default condition which occurs unless the enter switch ispressed while a particular revision suggestion image 138 c is displayed.The user can also be given the option of quickly returning from thecapture configuration provided by a chosen revision suggestion to adefault configuration. This can be implemented by a dedicated switch(not shown) or as an additional function of one of the existing controlbuttons.

For convenience, discussion here is generally limited to revisionsuggestion depictions in the form of images. Other depictions, as abovediscussed, can also be used in a similar manner. Warnings can beprovided, in appropriate circumstances, in the manner earlier discussed.

The switches 346,350,354 are mounted to the body 12 of the camera 10 andthe suggestion review and enter switches 350,354 together define adesignator 356 that is changeable between settings for each of therevision suggestions of the suggestion set. The particular form andmanner of operation of the designator 356 are not critical and are notlimited to those described here. For example, the designator 356 canhave a keypad (not shown) rather than a group of dedicated buttons orcan be remotely operated using a radio-frequency link (also not shown).Likewise, the designator 356 can operate in a different manner, such ascycling through the verification image along with the revisionsuggestion images of the suggestion set upon repeated actuations of adisplay button or the like. Cycling can be automatic following archivalimage capture or activation of the image display. Similarly, thedesignator can require the user to choose one of the verification imageand the revision suggestion images by pressing the enter switch 354 whenthe respective image is displayed. If the user does not choose before atimer elapses, then the camera enters a default capture configurationrather than retaining the previous configuration or changing to aconfiguration indicated by a revision suggestion.

The nature of the changes in the capture configuration of camera 10 thatoccur when a particular revision suggestion is chosen, depend upon thenature of the revision suggestion. The possibilities are limited byavailable settings of camera parameters provided by a set of capturemodifiers. Capture modifiers are camera control features that change theimage capture in some manner. For example, in the camera 10 shown inFIG. 4, the set of capture modifiers includes the zoom taking lens 76,the film shutter 92, the film aperture/diaphragm 96, and the flash unit36. Changes in configuration signaled by the control system are effectedby respective drivers 78, 88, 110, 108.

In a particular embodiment, the camera 10 has different archival imagecapture settings for the following parameters: zoom position, printformat (print aspect ratio C, H, P), shutter speed, capture, and flashusage. A revision suggestion can change the setting of one or more ofthese in any combination.

After recapture set up is completed, the resulting capture configurationis immediately available for recapture of the scene. If the scene haschanged and recapture is not an option, the user can use the newconfiguration for capture of another scene. As earlier noted, if the newscene is similar to the earlier scene, that it is likely that acceptableresults will be obtained.

Revision suggestions can be selected to help ensure acceptable resultseven if a scene has moderately changed before recapture. For example, arevision suggestion to zoom in or to use fill flash is unlikely topresent a problem to the user, even if the scene has changed. Revisionsuggestions to otherwise compose the scene relative to an earliersubject or to change the lighting conditions present a much greater riskof error, if the scene has moderately changed.

Revision suggestions that present a great risk of error or call forchanges in configuration that are beyond camera capabilities withouthuman intervention, such as, rotating the camera or attaching a filteror lens, can be excluded from the camera or can be provided only as aninstruction to the user. In the latter case, actuation of the enterswitch 354 by the user can provide an appropriate message such as,“Automatic set-up for recapture unavailable” or “Rotate the camera 90degrees”, informing the user that he or she will have to take the stepsnecessary to set up the camera for recapture implementing the chosenrevision suggestion.

The camera 10 can have a set of condition sensors 400 (shown in FIG. 49)that signal the controller 81 as to the status of or a change inparticular camera settings. Such condition sensors are well known tothose of skill in the art and are commonly used to provide feedbackduring automatic camera operations. Condition sensors are also used withmanual controls, such as a manually operable zoom lenses, to detect thecurrent setting. In the camera 10, condition sensors 400 can be used todetect a change in the capture configuration. The controller 81 canmonitor for changes in camera settings following display of the revisionsuggestions. Once a change is detected, the camera 10 can turn off thedisplay of the revision suggestions so as to be ready for image capture.

Referring now to FIGS. 49 and 4, in a particular embodiment of theinvention, the controller 81 generates a set of instructions 402responsive to the selection of one of the revision suggestions(illustrated as revision suggestion images 138 c) by the user. Asearlier described, this follows display of the revision suggestions. Theinstructions 402 are presented on the user interface, preferably in theform of text or simple icons, shown on the information display 114, orimage display 26, or both. Audio instructions 402 provided through aspeaker (not shown) can be used instead, or in addition. The set ofinstructions 402 can be presented altogether, but is preferablypresented one instruction 402 at the time. The user can act on theinstructions 402, when presented, to effect the changes necessary forimage recapture implementing the selected suggestion. Followingpresentation of the instructions, the controller 81 monitors theconfiguration of the camera using the condition sensors 400, todetermine if the configuration has been changed by the user.

If desired, the controller 81 can lock out one or more user controls 122of the user interface during the monitoring. This limits user inputs tothose required to put into effect the instructions of the selectedsuggestion. As with other features described herein that are notmandatory for image capture, a user control 122 can be provided on thecamera to turn off the display of the instructions or the display ofrevision suggestions and ready the camera for continued image capture.

In the example shown in FIG. 49, a scene is captured as an archivalimage 167. The user then selects to show the verification image 144 and,following that, selects to see revision suggestions 138 c. The revisionsuggestions 138 c illustrated are, in order from left to right, zoomingin, zooming in and rotating the camera 90 degrees, and rotating thecamera 90 degrees. The revision suggestion 138 c of zooming in androtating the camera 90 degrees is selected by user actuation of theappropriate control (not shown in FIG. 49). This results in preparationof a set of instructions 402 for the selected suggestion. Theinstructions 402 are presented on a stepwise basis, with the firstinstructions being “zoom in”. The instructions, in the embodiment shown,are presented on the image display 26. The user complies (indicated byan arrow 404 in FIG. 49) with the instruction and adjusts the takinglens 76 so as to increase the size of the subject. A condition sensor400 signals the controller 81, which is monitoring, following thepresentation of the initial instruction 402, for changes in the cameraconfiguration. The controller 81 determines from the sensor signal, thatthe taking lens 76 has been repositioned Responsive to the signal fromthe sensor 402, the next instruction “rotate”, is presented on the imagedisplay 26. The user then rotates (indicated by arrow 406 in FIG. 49)the camera 10. A sensor 400 in the camera 10 detects the rotation andsignals the controller 81, which responsively turns off the instruction402 to rotate the camera. The camera 10 can lock up to the shutterrelease 22 when the instruction “zoom in” is given, and unlock theshutter release 22 after detecting the camera rotation. The camera 10can indicate “ready” on the display 26, following the rotation. The userthen actuates the shutter release 22, (indicated by arrow 408). Theimage is recaptured, resulting in a new archival image 410. In analternative embodiment, after the revision suggestion of zooming in androtating the camera 90 degrees is selected by the user, the controller81 automatically moves the zoom lens to the suggested setting, andpresents only the “rotate” instruction on the image display 26.

In the various embodiments, after the user has recaptured the scene, thecamera 10 can remain in the configuration determined by the user'searlier choice of a particular revision suggestion. It is preferred,however; that the camera 10 return to the previous configuration or adefault configuration upon completion of the recapture. The previous ordefault configuration can provide for setting one or more cameraparameters with automatic camera systems. In preferred embodiments,reversion is to a default configuration having a predetermined zoomposition, a predetermined print format, and exposure parameters,including flash values, automatically set for a currently measuredexposure value. The camera 10 can also provide this same reversion to aprevious or default capture configuration when the user actuates aparticular control, such as the display switch, during or followingdisplay of the revision suggestions.

Following set up, but prior to recapture, the camera can provide amessage to the user indicating that the configuration of the camera 10has changed in response to the user's choice of one of the revisionsuggestions. This can be communicated to the user in a variety of ways.For example, the information display 114 can provide the message “Setfor recapture”(not shown), or some like message. Reversion to a previousor default configuration would eliminate this message.

ARCHIVAL IMAGE REVISING CAMERA

The revision suggestions displayed following successful capture of anevaluation image are not the only type of usage options that can bepresented to the user following a capture event. One additional type ofusage option that was already mentioned, is a warning message thatindicates capture failure. Another type is a presentation of availablechanges that can be made to captured archival images either immediately,for electronic archival images, or during photofinishing, for filmarchival images or alternatively for electronic archival images subjectto photofinishing. (For convenience, the following discussion isgenerally limited to photofinishing of film archival images. Likeconsiderations apply to photofinished electronic archival images and toarchival images that are printed on a personal computer-and-printer, ora stand-alone “appliance” printer, without further editing.)

While in most cases the available changes will be the same as thosepresented in the revision suggestions earlier discussed, some revisionsuggestions will not be usable for this purpose. Some cameras may alsobe capable of making less changes than others. For this reason, revisionsuggestions that represent available changes are referred to, inrelation to image revising cameras and methods, by the term “editorialsuggestions”. This term excludes revision suggestions that cannot beautomatically implemented by the particular camera, or camera andappropriate photofinishing equipment. For example, a revision suggestionto detach the taking lens and substitute a fisheye lens is not aneditorial suggestion, since the suggestion must be implemented by theuser. Editorial suggestions do not differ in other respects, from the berevision suggestions earlier discussed. For example, editorialsuggestions can be depicted in the same manner as revision suggestionsand editorial suggestion images, corresponding to revision suggestionimages, are again preferred depictions.

An embodiment of the photography method for revising an archival imageis shown in FIG. 48. In a capture event, an original electronic image iscaptured (382) and stored (384) in memory. The original electronic imagecan be the archival image or can archival image can be captured timecurrently with the capture of the original electronic image.

After capture (382), a suggestion set of editorial suggestions isgenerated in the same manner earlier discussed in relation to thegeneration of a revision suggestion set. In FIG. 48, this is illustratedin simplified form by the steps of: evaluating (386) parameters of thescene, matching (388) parameters to editorial suggestions, andgenerating (390) editorial suggestions.

After the set of editorial suggestions has been generated (390),depictions of the editorial suggestions are displayed (392), in the samemanner as we are disclosed for the revision suggestions. During display,the user can designate a selected suggestion. The camera accepts (394)the designation and records (396) an indication of the user selection.The indication is either an edited form of the archival image or data inthe form of editing instructions for the photofinishing equipment. Theprocedure and camera features for designating the selected suggestioncan be the same as those earlier described in relation to be revisedrecapture camera and methods, with the distinction that the camera doesnot setup for recapture but instead records the indication of the userselection.

The nature of the indication of the user selection varies with the typeof archival image. If the archival image is a latent image onphotographic film, then the indication of the user selection is in theform of data recorded on the photographic film. The camera 10 shown inFIG. 4 has a data recorder 398 that can record the data in the film unitof photographic film.

The manner in which the data is recorded is not critical. For example,procedures and equipment are well known for recording data in a filmunit in optical, magnetic, or electronic form. “Advanced Photo Systems™”(“APS”) film provides for the recording of data in a magneticallyrecordable layer of the film. For example, many APS cameras can recordmagnetic data that indicates which of three print aspect ratios: H, C,and P, is selected for each latent image. Photofinishing equipment (notshown), in which the film is processed, reads recorded magnetic data andprints the latent images as final images in the selected aspect ratios.The photofinishing equipment produces the final images in the selectedprint aspect ratios optically or digitally.

A selected editorial suggestion that provides for changing the printaspect ratio of an image can be implemented in exactly this manner.Other editorial suggestions can be implemented similarly. It will beunderstood that this requires that the cameras and photofinishingequipment act on a common scheme, in which the photofinishing equipmentcan read and interpret the recorded data and, in response, provide amodification of the photofinishing output. Suitable schemes forproviding these functions, like the Advanced Photo System, are wellknown to those of skill in the art.

If the archival image is derived from the original electronic image,then the indication of the user selection is in the form of an editedimage, an electronic image derived from the original electronic image byediting in accordance with the selected editorial suggestion. The editedimage is stored in memory 58 of the camera 10.

The edited image can join the original electronic image in the memory,such that the same image information is duplicated, except as modifiedby the respective editorial suggestion. This approach is not preferred,since the user has to, at some time in the future, review the images anddecide whether the original electronic image or edited image is better,before using or discarding one of the two images. It is preferred thatthe original electronic image in the memory, is replaced by the editedimage. This approach reduces memory requirements and preventsduplication of effort by the user. The edited image that replaces theoriginal electronic image can include sufficient information to recreatethe original electronic image, in the form of metadata instructions orthe like.

In this embodiment, the effect of the user's choice of an editorialsuggestion varies with the nature of the depiction used for theeditorial suggestion. The original electronic image is edited after theuser input is chosen, if the depiction of the editorial suggestion istext or an icon presented on the information display or, preferably,merged with the verification image on the image display. If theeditorial suggestion is a low resolution editorial suggestion image,then the original electronic image is modified in a simplified manner toprepare a depiction that suggests, but does not fully represent aparticular editorial suggestion. In this case, when an editorialsuggestion is chosen, the depiction is deleted and the originalelectronic image is modified again to produce the edited image, in amodification that fully complies with the editorial suggestion. If theeditorial suggestion is a suggestion image, at high resolution, thenfurther modification of the derived image is not required. When aneditorial suggestion or the verification image is chosen, the unchoseneditorial suggestions are no longer necessary and can be deleted.

In a particular example shown in FIGS. 50-51, the digital camera 10 usesa megapixel imager 24 to capture an initial electronic image, which isthen stored as an archival image in the form of a JPEG compressed fileon a removable memory card 54 a accessed through a memory card interface412. The camera 10 selectively displays a verification image on theimage display 26 that is derived from the archival image by subsampling.(Buttons or other user controls that actuate the verification displayand the like are not illustrated in FIG. 50, but can be like thoseearlier discussed. The digital camera 10 includes a mode that displayseditorial suggestions. The editorial suggestions shown in FIG. 51 areenlarge image, enlarge and rotate, and rotate. When the user selects(414) one of the editorial suggestions (in FIG. 50, the suggestion toenlarge and rotate is selected), the archival image is decompressed fromthe JPEG compressed file and modified by cropping (416) the image data,recompressing, and storing (418) the cropped image file 410 onto theremovable memory. The original archival image file 167 is thenpreferably deleted to save space. If the user actuates display of theverification image, the replacement image file is subsampled to providea new verification image for display on the image display 26. Thereplacement image 410 can, optionally, be resampled when cropped, asshown in FIG. 51.

Suitable cameras 10 and methods are otherwise like those earlierdescribed. For example, the camera 10 shown in FIG. 4 can be used, withsoftware modified to allow the user to select one of the editorialsuggestions of a suggestion set by actuating a user control 122 and toallow the data recorder 398 to record the data representing the userselection on the film. An example of a suitable electronic camera 10,shown in FIG. 25, is a modification of the camera of FIG. 4 to excludefeatures related to photographic film. Removable memory 58 is alsoprovided in place or in addition to other memory in the control system80.

Another suitable electronic camera 10 is shown in FIG. 50. The camera 10has a docking interface 420 that is compatible with a docking unit 422of a personal computer 424. Electric power for the circuits of thecamera is provided by rechargeable batteries 426. The batteries 426 arerecharged via a power supply 428 that is connected to the docking unit422. Other camera features, including the control system, are similar tothose earlier described. For example, the camera produces digital imagesthat are stored on a removable memory card 54 a. The camera includes azoom lens 76 having zoom and focus drivers 78,88 and an adjustableaperture and shutter (not shown in FIG. 50). The zoom lens 76 focuseslight from the scene on an imager 24 such as a single chip color CCDimage sensor using the well-known Bayer color filter pattern. The imagesensor 24 is controlled by clock drivers 100. The zoom and focus andclock drivers 78,88,100 are controlled by control signals supplied by acontroller 81. The controller 81 also receives inputs from autofocus andautoexposure detectors 126,82 and controls a flash unit 115. The analogimage signal from the imager 24 is amplified and converted to digitaldata by an ASP-A/D converter 104. The digital image data from theASP-A/D 104 is stored in a DRAM buffer memory 54 b and subsequentlyprocessed by the processor 106, which is controlled by firmware storedin a firmware memory 54 c, using RAM memory 54 d. Electronic imagestransferred through the docking interface 420 and docking unit 422 areprinted by the computer 424 using a printer 430.

The camera can have other features not illustrated here. For example,the camera can be a hybrid allowing film or electronic capture of thearchival image.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photography method comprising the steps of:capturing an archival image; during said capturing of said archivalimage, capturing a plurality of evaluation images; generating averification image from said evaluation images; comparing one or morecharacteristics of said evaluation images to respective predeterminedstandard ranges; generating a output quality warning when any of saidcharacteristics are outside a respective said predetermined standardrange; displaying said verification image on said camera; andcommunicating said output quality warning during said displaying;wherein said capturing of said evaluation images further comprisescapturing said a first of said evaluation images during a first timeinterval and capturing a second of said evaluation images during asecond time interval, said time intervals having different durations. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein at least two of said evaluation images arecaptured under different exposure conditions.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein said capturing of said evaluation images further comprisescapturing a third of said evaluation images before and a fourth of saidevaluation images after said capturing of said first and secondevaluation images.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing ofsaid third evaluation image starts at the same time as said capturing ofsaid archival image and said capturing of said fourth evaluation imageends at the same time as said capturing of said archival image.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 further comprising changing a default print count tozero when any of said characteristics are outside the respective saidpredetermined standard range.
 6. A photography method comprising thesteps of: capturing an archival image; during said capturing of saidarchival image, capturing a plurality of evaluation images; generating averification image from said evaluation images; comparing one or morecharacteristics of said evaluation images to respective predeterminedstandard ranges; generating a output quality warning when any of saidcharacteristics are outside a respective said predetermined standardrange; displaying said verification image on said camera; andcommunicating said output quality warning during said displaying;wherein one of said evaluation images has a different exposure valuethan another of said evaluation images.
 7. The method of claim 6 whereinsaid capturing of one of said evaluation images starts at the same timeas said capturing of said archival image and said capturing of anotherof said evaluation images ends at the same time as said capturing ofsaid archival image.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said capturing ofsaid evaluation images further comprises capturing a total of at leastfour evaluation images during said capturing of said archival image. 9.The method of claim 8 wherein at least two of said evaluation images arecaptured under different exposure conditions.
 10. The method of claim 6further comprising changing a default print count to zero when any ofsaid characteristics are outside the respective said predeterminedstandard range.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein said warning is, atleast in part, audible.
 12. A photography method comprising the stepsof: capturing an archival image; during said capturing of said archivalimage, capturing a sequence of evaluation images, at least two of saidevaluation images being differently exposed; comparing one or morecharacteristics of said evaluation images to respective predeterminedstandard ranges; generating an output quality warning when any of saidcharacteristics are outside a respective said predetermined standardrange; and displaying said output quality warning on said camera. 13.The method of claim 1 wherein said capturing of said evaluation imagesfurther comprises capturing said a first of said evaluation imagesduring a first time interval and capturing a second of said evaluationimages during a second time interval, said time intervals havingdifferent durations.
 14. A photography method comprising the steps of:capturing an archival image; during said capturing of said archivalimage, capturing a sequence of evaluation images, at least two of saidevaluation images being differently exposed; comparing one or morecharacteristics of said evaluation images to respective predeterminedstandard ranges; generating an output quality warning when any of saidcharacteristics are outside a respective said predetermined standardrange; and displaying said output quality warning on said camera;wherein said capturing of said evaluation images further comprisescapturing said a first of said evaluation images during a first timeinterval, capturing a second of said evaluation images during a secondtime interval having a different duration than said first time interval,and capturing a third of said evaluation images before and a fourth ofsaid evaluation images after said capturing of said first and second ofsaid evaluation images, said third and fourth of said evaluation imagesbeing differently exposed.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprisingchanging a default print count to zero when any of said characteristicsare outside the respective said predetermined standard range.
 16. Acamera comprising: a body; a capture system mounted in said body, saidcapture system capturing a scene image as an archival image and, duringsaid capturing of said archival image, capturing a plurality ofevaluation images, said evaluation images each having a plurality ofimage characteristics, at least one of said evaluation images having adifferent exposure value than another of said evaluation images; alook-up table disposed in said body, said look-up table having aplurality of predetermined standard ranges of said imagecharacteristics; an evaluator disposed in said body, said evaluatorbeing operatively connected to said capture system, said evaluatorcomparing said image characteristics of said evaluation images torespective said predetermined standard ranges, said evaluator generatinga output quality warning when any of said image characteristics areoutside a respective said predetermined standard range; and a displayoperatively connected to said evaluator, said display displaying saidoutput quality warning.
 17. The camera of claim 16 wherein said capturesystem captures at least two of said evaluation images under differentexposure conditions.
 18. The camera of claim 16 wherein said capturesystem captures one of said evaluation images starting at the same timeas said capturing of said archival image and said captures another ofsaid evaluation images ending at the same time as said capturing of saidarchival image.
 19. The camera of claim 16 wherein at least two of saidevaluation images are captured during time intervals of differentdurations.
 20. A camera for use with a photographic film unit, saidcamera comprising: a body; a latent image capture unit disposed in saidbody, said latent image capture unit capturing a scene image as a latentimage in said film unit; an electronic capture unit disposed in saidbody, said electronic capture unit, capturing said scene image as asequence of evaluation images, during said capturing of said latentimage by said latent image capture unit, said evaluation images eachhaving a plurality of image characteristics, at least two of saidevaluation images being captured during time intervals of differentdurations; a look-up table disposed in said body, said look-up tablehaving a plurality of predetermined standard ranges of said imagecharacteristics; an evaluator disposed in said body, said evaluatorbeing operatively connected to said electronic capture unit, saidevaluator comparing said image characteristics of said evaluation imagesto respective said predetermined standard ranges, said evaluatorgenerating a output quality warning when any of said imagecharacteristics are outside a respective said predetermined standardrange; and a display operatively connected to said evaluator, saiddisplay displaying said output quality warning.
 21. The camera of claim20 wherein said capture system captures at least two of said evaluationimages under different exposure conditions.
 22. The camera of claim 21wherein said capture system captures one of said evaluation imagesstarting at the same time as said capturing of said archival image andsaid captures another of said evaluation images ending at the same timeas said capturing of said archival image.
 23. The camera of claim 20further comprising a data writer disposed in said camera said datawriter writing a zero print count to said film unit in association withsaid latent image responsive to said output quality warning.
 24. Thecamera of claim 20 further comprising a speaker operatively connected tosaid evaluator.